Religiosity and Health-Related Quality of Life in HIV Positive Young Adults Seeking Health Care in Alebtong District, Northern Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study

This study estimated religiosity and health related quality of life in HIV positive young adults aged 18-36 years seeking care in Alebtong District Northern Uganda. A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used in five health centers in Alebtong district, northern Uganda in April 2021. Positive religiosity is associated with better physical health (ß=0.52, P=0.01) and psychological health (ß=0.3, P=0.02). Negative religiosity was associated with poor health related quality of life domains of physical health (ß=0.43, P=0.02), psychological health (ß=0.75, P=0.02), social relationship health (ß=0.53, P=0.04) and environmental health (ß=-0.66, P=<0.01). The findings in this study show that religiosity is significantly associated with HRQOL. This underscores the importance of religiosity in the management of HIV positive patients. Religiosity should be an integral part of the HIV treatment program to the health related quality of life of HIV patients. The findings also suggest that HIV positive patients are likely to benefit from support in the community. Thus, there is a need to strengthen the collaboration between religious organizations in the management of HIV to improve the HRQOL.

Author(s): Amir Kabunga*, Sarah Nabuwufu, Augustine Bulitya, Binepe Bwambale Lhwanzo, Mariam Nakazibwe, Gloria Aleso and Fazira Namata

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