Quality of life and coping in HIV patients, in Ho Chi Minh City

This study investigates the impact of demographic factors, coping strategies, and quality of life among HIV-positive individuals on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. A cross-sectional analysis of 181 participants used the WHO-HIV-BREF to assess quality of life across physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains. Results show that lower socioeconomic status is linked to poorer quality of life in all domains, while older age and advanced HIV stages impact physical and environmental domains, respectively. Positive coping strategies, such as acceptance and reframing, correlate with improved quality of life, whereas humor and self-blame relate to negative outcomes. Gender differences in coping, notably men’s greater use of substance-based strategies, were also observed. Findings emphasize the need for integrated medical and social interventions to support adaptive coping and enhance well-being. Further research is advised to refine intervention strategies for this population.