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Introduction <p>While maintaining a relatively low HIV prevalence, Lebanon continues to face significant sociocultural barriers related to HIV. People living with HIV (PLHIV) often experience discrimination, which may impact their quality of life (QoL) and their ability to engage effectively with healthcare providers. This study aimed to evaluate the QoL of PLHIV in Lebanon, examine their experiences with stigma, and assess how their relationships with physicians influence their access to care and information.</p> Methods <p>A cross-sectional study was conducted among 91 Lebanese adults living with HIV/AIDS, recruited from the National AIDS Program Center, NGOs, and outpatient clinics. Participants completed a comprehensive questionnaire including the WHOQOL-Brief, the HIV Symptom Index and the HIV Stigma Scale, as well as a demographic section and a section on the relationship with the physician.</p> Results <p>Most of the sample was male, unmarried, and asymptomatic. The mean age was 35.5 years (SD = 10.4). The mean WHOQOL-BREF score was 56.32% (SD = 17.2), with the highest score for physical health and the lowest for social relationships. The mean stigma score was 34.21 and the mean HIV symptom index was 1.91. Symptom prevalence and perceived stigma were negative predictors of quality of life, while being employed was a positive predictor of quality of life. The quality of social relationships had a positive impact on stigma. Choosing a physician based on word-of-mouth recommendations had a positive impact on access to health information and services.</p> Discussion <p>While clinical management has improved physical health outcomes for PLHIV, psychosocial factors, particularly stigma and lack of social support, continue to hold back overall well-being. Physician-patient trust and employment may enhance access to supportive care environments.</p> Conclusions <p>Addressing stigma and strengthening social and healthcare support systems are essential to improving the QoL of PLHIV in Lebanon. Empowering patients to make informed choices about their physicians may play a key role in facilitating better access to care and reducing the burden of stigma.</p>

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Quality of life of people living with HIV in Lebanon: the fourth dimension

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年10月28日

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  • Alexia El Khoury,
  • Elie Haddad,
  • Nabil Chehata,
  • Gebrael Saliba,
  • Anton Pozniak,
  • Jade Ghosn,
  • Jacques Choucair

摘要

Introduction

While maintaining a relatively low HIV prevalence, Lebanon continues to face significant sociocultural barriers related to HIV. People living with HIV (PLHIV) often experience discrimination, which may impact their quality of life (QoL) and their ability to engage effectively with healthcare providers. This study aimed to evaluate the QoL of PLHIV in Lebanon, examine their experiences with stigma, and assess how their relationships with physicians influence their access to care and information.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 91 Lebanese adults living with HIV/AIDS, recruited from the National AIDS Program Center, NGOs, and outpatient clinics. Participants completed a comprehensive questionnaire including the WHOQOL-Brief, the HIV Symptom Index and the HIV Stigma Scale, as well as a demographic section and a section on the relationship with the physician.

Results

Most of the sample was male, unmarried, and asymptomatic. The mean age was 35.5 years (SD = 10.4). The mean WHOQOL-BREF score was 56.32% (SD = 17.2), with the highest score for physical health and the lowest for social relationships. The mean stigma score was 34.21 and the mean HIV symptom index was 1.91. Symptom prevalence and perceived stigma were negative predictors of quality of life, while being employed was a positive predictor of quality of life. The quality of social relationships had a positive impact on stigma. Choosing a physician based on word-of-mouth recommendations had a positive impact on access to health information and services.

Discussion

While clinical management has improved physical health outcomes for PLHIV, psychosocial factors, particularly stigma and lack of social support, continue to hold back overall well-being. Physician-patient trust and employment may enhance access to supportive care environments.

Conclusions

Addressing stigma and strengthening social and healthcare support systems are essential to improving the QoL of PLHIV in Lebanon. Empowering patients to make informed choices about their physicians may play a key role in facilitating better access to care and reducing the burden of stigma.