{
  "abstract": "Human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) remain a major global health challenge. This study assessed the quality of life and its associated factors among people living with human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (PLWHA) on antiretroviral therapy in two treatment centers in the South West Region of Cameroon. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 464 PLWHA on ART at two treatment centers in the Fako Division, Southwest Region of Cameroon, from June 2024 to August 2024. Quality of life was assessed using the World Health Organization’s Quality of Life brief questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF). Data was analyzed using the statistical package for the social sciences version 25.0. Statistical significance was set at a p-value <0.05 at a 95% confidence interval. Participants’ mean age was 48.8 ± 11.7 years and 79.5% were female. Most had been on ART for ≥3 years (92.2%) and were virally undetectable (85.8%). Mean domain scores were highest for physical health (72.93 ± 12.79) and psychological health (70.55 ± 13.35), and lowest for social relationships (62.03 ± 16.83) and environmental health (64.24 ± 11.08). The mean overall QOL score was 269.75 ± 42.58. In multivariable analysis, lower overall QOL scores was associated with older age, primary education, and monthly income <100 USD, while higher overall QOL scores was associated with being married/divorced, absence of HIV-related symptoms, and absence of depression. QOL among PLWHA on ART in Fako Division was moderate-to-good, with the social and environmental domains most affected. Socioeconomic vulnerability, aging, depressive symptoms, and clinical symptom burden were key determinants, underscoring the need to integrate mental health screening and support, strengthen symptom management, and address socioeconomic barriers within HIV care.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Public Health and Hygiene, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon.",
    "Division Human Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.",
    "Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon.",
    "Plan International, Yaoundé, Cameroon."
  ],
  "article_type": "Research Article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 5,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Bombey Mary-Flavie Nkanjo"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Ayuk Betrand Tambe",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-5023-4273"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Achidi Aduni Ufuan"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Sam Denise Movuh",
      "orcid": "0000-0003-2299-7473"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Tendongfor Nicholas"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/7b1ykerfb0njf.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1371/journal.pmen.0000697",
  "fulltext_url": "https://journals.plos.org/mentalhealth/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmen.0000697",
  "id": "7b1ykerfb0njf",
  "issns": [
    "2837-8156"
  ],
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  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2725|HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Immunology/Vaccination and immunization/Antiviral therapy/Antiretroviral therapy"
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    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Microbiology/Medical microbiology/Microbial pathogens/Viral pathogens/Immunodeficiency viruses/HIV"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Microbiology/Medical microbiology/Microbial pathogens/Viral pathogens/Retroviruses/Lentivirus/HIV"
    ],
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      "/Biology and life sciences/Nutrition/Diet/Alcohol consumption"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Organisms/Viruses/Immunodeficiency viruses/HIV"
    ],
    [
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      "/Biology and life sciences/Organisms/Viruses/RNA viruses/Retroviruses/Lentivirus/HIV"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Organisms/Viruses/Viral pathogens/Immunodeficiency viruses/HIV"
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      "/Biology and life sciences/Organisms/Viruses/Viral pathogens/Retroviruses/Lentivirus/HIV"
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      "/Medicine and health sciences/Health care/Quality of life"
    ],
    [
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      "/Medicine and health sciences/Health care/Socioeconomic aspects of health"
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      "/Medicine and health sciences/Immunology/Vaccination and immunization/Antiviral therapy/Antiretroviral therapy"
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      "/Medicine and health sciences/Mental health and psychiatry/Mood disorders/Depression"
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      "/Medicine and health sciences/Nutrition/Diet/Alcohol consumption"
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    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Pathology and laboratory medicine/Pathogens/Microbial pathogens/Viral pathogens/Retroviruses/Lentivirus/HIV"
    ],
    [
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      "/Medicine and health sciences/Public and occupational health/Global health"
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    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Public and occupational health/Preventive medicine/Vaccination and immunization/Antiviral therapy/Antiretroviral therapy"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Public and occupational health/Socioeconomic aspects of health"
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  "openalex": "W7223708920",
  "pdf_url": "https://journals.plos.org/mentalhealth/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pmen.0000697&type=printable",
  "pmcid": "PMC13704882",
  "pmid": "42932284",
  "published": "2026-10-26",
  "publisher": "Public Library of Science",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/7b1ykerfb0njf.ris",
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    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:17Z",
      "native_id": "10.1371/journal.pmen.0000697",
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      "url": "https://journals.plos.org/mentalhealth/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmen.0000697"
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  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "plos:immunology",
      "subfield": "immunology"
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      "origin": "plos:microbiology",
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      "origin": "plos:global health",
      "subfield": "epidemiology-public-health"
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  "title": "Quality of life and its associated factors among adult PLWHA on ART in Fako Division, South West Region of Cameroon",
  "title_text": "Quality of life and its associated factors among adult PLWHA on ART in Fako Division, South West Region of Cameroon",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:21:51Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/7b1ykerfb0njf",
  "venue": "PLOS Mental Health",
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}