Abstract
This particular study assesses the quality of life (QoL) of HIV/AIDS patients in Nepal, taking into account the social effects of disclosing one's HIV status. The study aims to determine how QoL differs by gender and how disclosure affects each dimension of QoL. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 972 participants (486 men and 486 women) from different ART centers in Nepal. Data were gathered through a pre-designed self-administered questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic variables and the WHOQOL-HIV-BREF. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including ANOVA. The results revealed that informing a physician about a patient's HIV status significantly increases all aspects of quality of life: physical health (estimate = 0.502, p = 0.001), psychological well-being (estimate = 0.642, p = 0.001), social relationships (estimate = 0.596, p = 0.001) and environmental factors (estimate = 0.608, p = 0.001). On the other hand, disclosure to family members deteriorated in all the aforementioned dimensions, where physical health was reported at (estimate = -0.417, p = 0.001), psychological health was (estimate = -0.453, p = 0.001), social relationships (estimate = -0.381, p = 0.025) and environmental quality was (estimate = -0.559, p = 0.001). Disclosure to either physician or partner has no relevant effect on quality of life. Patients with co-morbidity reported variable effects, where positive changes in physical health (estimate = 0.329, p = 0.032) and environmental quality (estimate = 0.649, p < 0.001) were reported alongside no changes in psychological and social well-being. In managing HIV, it is critical to incorporate all aspects of health and the interrelatedness of the nuances. This study established an effective intervention that needs to improve communication strategies, reduce stigma, and provide robust support systems. Incorporating education level, employment opportunities, and internalized stigma is critical for improving an HIV/AIDS patient's general health in the context of Nepal.