THE DEVELOPMENT OF QUALITY OF LIFE IN HIV INFECTED : A CASE STUDY IN LOEI PROVINCE, THAILAND

Abstract

The objectives of this research were 1) To study the quality of life in HIV infected in Dok Fai Group 2)To study the individual needs in quality of life development in HIV infected 3)To develop the quality of life according by the process of PAR This study is a combination of qualitative and quantitative research focusing on qualitative research by using the process of PAR, focus group discussion, in-depth interview, participant observation and brainstorming technique (A-I-C). The populations of this study are members of HIV infected persons in Dok Fai Group, Director of Labor Skill Development Center , Director of Loei General Hospital , Manager of Baan Pak Jai , Chief of Consulting Center and Chief of Social Work . The data were collected from HIV patients by questionnaire, focus group discussion and A-I-C meetings, the rest of populations were conducted by in-depth interview. All populations existed in the year of 2007.The findings of this study as follow:
1. General information of HIV infected persons. Most of respondents are: Male 54.2% Age 30- 35 years old 31.7%, Highest education in Primary school 42.8%, Occupation in Selfemployment 29.2%, Average income per month 1,000-3,000 Baht 45.2%, Having household obligations 80.9%, Having 3 persons in obligation 28.9%, Having debt 80.0%, Amount of debt is 10,000-50,000 Baht 58.3%, Creditor is Agricultural & Cooperative Bank 27.7%, Reason of debt is daily life spending 38.8%, Debt affects on life difficulties 83.3%. The quality of life of HIV infected personal panoramic view, most of the quality of life of HIV infected persons is in middle level, In partial view, The lowest average income is 2.9 (X=2.9) The study shows that HIV infected have the highest demand of quality of life
development in income and employment The needs in occupation development: It indicates that most of the HIV infected persons need to belong to group to be improved their occupation skills to generate their income 79.5%. The reasons of their needs are to get their extra income 43.6%, to support their friends 99.1%. agree on group cooperation, 93.2% wants to be a group member.
2. The study result of the demand of quality of life development in HIV infected in Dok Fai Group. The study shows that HIV infected have the highest demand of quality of life development in income and employment
3. The result of quality of life development in HIV infected in income and employment matters.The process of income and employment development by manufacturing process; The training and manufacturing were initiated. The conclusion is HIV infected had a better psychological health because gathering with community, discussing about the skill development, distributing their own products help them to develop their skill and income. Moreover they do not feel lonely or unwanted when they had a free time. The friendship was developed among them