Role of Self-Efficacy in Quality of Life of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Punjab-India

The purpose of the study was to examine the role of self-efficacy on Quality of life (QOL) of PLWHAs in lower to middle income families within Punjab, India (n= 225; 18-49 years; and 51% males). The PLWHAs here demonstrate a considerable variance in disease progression, which might be linked to the role of psychosocial factors within Indian culture. The random sample was recruited from the three local Integrated Counseling &Testing and Antiretroviral Treatment Centers. 

HIV self- efficacy (HIV-SE) questionnaire (Shively et al. 2002) and MOS- HIV Health Survey (Wu, Rubin et al.1991) were utilized for data collection and Pearson Product Moment coefficient of correlation was computed to study the role of self-efficacy in quality of life.  Various domains of self-efficacy, i.e., managing depression, managing fatigue, managing symptoms and getting support were found to be positively correlated with physical functioning, cognitive functioning, mental health and QOL. Overall, managing medications and communicating with the health care provider were significantly negatively correlated to physical functioning, role functioning and social functioning. Gender differences on some dimensions of self-efficacy like managing medications and getting support (Mean 53.1 vs 57.3) (t=-3.1**) and managing support (Mean=26.8 vs 29.0) (t=-2.0*) showed less efficacy for men than women. Though men scored significantly higher on mental health (Mean=18.6 vs 17.7) (t=1.9*) as compared to women. The results points to structural gaps in the training and quality of counseling professions and a need to tailor gender specific support to address dimensions of self-efficacy, overall functioning and QOL issues for PLWHAs.