Coping strategies and their influence on quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> Individuals living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) often face challenges such as depression, anxiety, fear, anger, worry, and social isolation. This study aimed to assess the coping strategies employed by PLHA and their influence on quality of life in selected tertiary hospitals in Ekiti State, Nigeria.<b>Methods:</b> A descriptive cross-sectional research design was employed, targeting HIV/AIDS patients attending two tertiary hospitals in Ekiti State. A total of 146 respondents were recruited using a convenience sampling technique. During clinic visits, two pretested adapted questionnaires were administered: the Brief COPE to measure coping strategies and the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-HIV BREF) to evaluate the quality of life of HIV/AIDS patients. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including chi-square tests.<b>Results:</b> The mean age of respondents was 19.6 ± 0.87 years. Approximately 32% reported acquiring HIV/AIDS through blood transfusion, 23.3% through unprotected sex, while 18.5% were unsure of the mode of transmission. The majority of respondents exhibited a poor overall quality of life. The most common coping strategies identified were religion (85.6%), social withdrawal (71.9%), and responsibility and acceptance (65.1%). Additionally, a statistically significant relationship was found between spending time alone, attending counseling sessions, and the use of coping strategies such as responsibility and acceptance, and the quality of life of respondents (<i>p</i> < 0.05).<b>Conclusions:</b> The findings indicate that PLHA employ various coping strategies that significantly influence their quality of life. It is recommended that nurses and other healthcare professionals provide education on effective coping strategies to enhance the quality of life for individuals living with HIV/AIDS.