Social and Economic Factors Shape HIV Treatment Quality of Life in Cameroon

People living with HIV who are on antiretroviral therapy in Cameroon's Fako Division report a moderate-to-good overall quality of life, but their social relationships and environmental health lag behind their physical and psychological well-being, according to a cross-sectional study of 464 adults treated at two centers in the South West Region between June and August 2024. Researchers assessed quality of life using the World Health Organization's brief questionnaire, WHOQOL-BREF, and analyzed the data with SPSS version 25.0, setting statistical significance at a p-value below 0.05 with a 95% confidence interval. Participants had a mean age of 48.8 years, with a standard deviation of 11.7, and 79.5% were female.

The large majority had been on antiretroviral therapy for three years or more (92.2%), and 85.8% were virally undetectable at the time of the survey. Mean domain scores were highest for physical health, at 72.93 with a standard deviation of 12.79, and psychological health, at 70.55 with a standard deviation of 13.35. The lowest scores appeared in social relationships, at 62.03 with a standard deviation of 16.83, and environmental health, at 64.24 with a standard deviation of 11.08.

The mean overall quality-of-life score was 269.75, with a standard deviation of 42.58. In multivariable analysis, lower overall quality-of-life scores were associated with older age, primary-level education, and a monthly income below 100 US dollars. Higher overall scores were associated with being married or divorced, the absence of HIV-related symptoms, and the absence of depression.

Socioeconomic vulnerability, aging, depressive symptoms, and clinical symptom burden were key determinants of quality of life in this population. Because the study was cross-sectional and limited to adults at two treatment centers in a single division, the findings describe associations at one point in time rather than changes over time, and they may not generalize to other regions or populations. Within that scope, the authors conclude that quality of life among people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy in Fako Division was moderate-to-good, with the social and environmental domains most affected.

They underscore the need to integrate mental health screening and support into HIV care, strengthen symptom management, and address socioeconomic barriers that continue to influence how patients experience life on treatment.

Subject of Research: Quality of life and its associated factors among adult PLWHA on ART in Fako Division, South West Region of Cameroon

Article Title: Quality of life and its associated factors among adult PLWHA on ART in Fako Division, South West Region of Cameroon

Article References: Nkanjo, B. M.-F., Tambe, A. B., Ufuan, A. A., Movuh, S. D., & Nicholas, T. (2026). Quality of life and its associated factors among adult PLWHA on ART in Fako Division, South West Region of Cameroon. PLOS Mental Health, 3(10), e0000697. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmen.0000697

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmen.0000697

Keywords: Quality, life, associated, factors, adult, PLWHA, Fako, Division, South, West, Region, Cameroon