People living with HIV (PLHIV) continue to face challenges that extend beyond clinical management,

particularly in contexts where healthcare access is limited and stigma remains high. This study assessed the

quality of life (QoL) of PLHIV residing in selected barangays of Digos City, Philippines, and examined the

influence of demographic factors on their perceived well-being. Using a descriptive-correlational design, data

were collected from 76 respondents through the WHOQOL-HIV BREF questionnaire covering four domains:

physical health, psychological well-being, social relationships, and environment. Statistical tools included

frequency, percentage, weighted mean, t-test, and ANOVA. Results showed that the environment domain had

the highest mean score (3.81), while the psychological domain scored lowest (3.71). Significant differences in

QoL were found based on employment status (p = 0.023) and age group (p = 0.031), but not by sex, education,

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) remains a persistent global health concern, exerting profound effects

on the physical, psychological, social, and economic well-being of affected individuals. While advances in

antiretroviral therapy (ART) have transformed HIV from a terminal illness into a manageable chronic

condition, people living with HIV (PLHIV) continue to face multifaceted challenges beyond biomedical care

(World Health Organization [WHO], 2022). These include barriers to healthcare access, pervasive stigma,

economic instability, and mental health issues, all of which significantly influence their overall quality of life

(QoL) (Mutabazi-Mwesigire et al., 2019; Zarei et al., 2020). The WHO conceptualizes QoL as a

multidimensional construct encompassing physical health, psychological state, level of independence, social

relationships, and interaction with salient features of the environment (WHO, 2021). For PLHIV, achieving

particularly in provincial cities such as Digos City in the Davao Region. PLHIV in these areas often contend

with the absence of local ART distribution centers, requiring them to travel long distances to access

treatment—a burden that can disrupt medication adherence and compromise health outcomes (Outrage

Magazine, 2022). Beyond logistical barriers, societal stigma continues to discourage open disclosure and

engagement with HIV-related services, compounding the challenges faced by affected individuals (Earnshaw

et al., 2015).

Quality of life among PLHIV is shaped by the interplay of biomedical, psychological, and socioeconomic

factors. Wilson and Cleary’s (1995) model of health-related quality of life highlights the linkage between

biological variables, symptom status, functional status, general health perceptions, and overall QoL.

their surrounding communities.

Given these considerations, this study aims to assess the QoL of PLHIV residing in selected barangays of

Digos City, examining the influence of demographic factors such as age, sex, marital status, employment

status, and educational attainment. By identifying the domains of QoL that require targeted intervention, the

study seeks to inform the design of a culturally sensitive and context-specific health teaching program.

Ultimately, the findings aim to contribute to evidence-based strategies that integrate clinical care with

psychosocial and structural support, thereby promoting a holistic approach to HIV management in provincial

urban settings.

This study employed a quantitative descriptive–correlational design to assess the quality of life (QoL) of

The research was conducted in purposively selected barangays of Digos City, chosen for their documented

prevalence of HIV cases and accessibility to HIV-related services. The study population comprised PLHIV

aged 18 years and above, officially diagnosed, and residing in the selected barangays. Purposive sampling was

employed to ensure that participants met inclusion criteria and could provide informed responses relevant to

the study objectives (Etikan et al., 2016). In total, 76 respondents participated, representing diverse

sociodemographic backgrounds in terms of age, sex, marital status, educational attainment, and employment

status.

Data collection was carried out using the World Health Organization Quality of Life HIV BREF (WHOQOL-

HIV BREF), a standardized instrument designed to assess QoL across four domains: physical health,

psychological well-being, social relationships, and environment (World Health Organization [WHO], 2021).

consent was obtained from all participants, who were assured of confidentiality, anonymity, and the voluntary

nature of their participation. Data collection was conducted in secure and private settings to mitigate risks

associated with stigma and discrimination (Earnshaw et al., 2015). Respondents who required assistance in

understanding survey items were provided with appropriate explanations to ensure comprehension without

influencing responses.

The collected data were processed and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Frequencies and

percentages were used to summarize categorical variables such as demographic profiles, while weighted means

described respondents’ perceptions in each QoL domain. Independent samples t-tests were used to compare

QoL between two-group variables (e.g., sex, employment status), and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA)

performed using standard statistical software.

By integrating a standardized QoL instrument, robust sampling, and rigorous statistical analysis, this

methodology ensured that findings were both reliable and valid, providing an evidence-based foundation for

the development of a targeted health teaching program to improve the well-being of PLHIV in the study area.

Mutabazi-Mwesigire et al. (2019), who linked higher education with improved self-care and engagement in

health services.

Across the four domains measured by the WHOQOL-HIV BREF, the environment domain emerged as the

strongest, with respondents expressing high satisfaction with access to healthcare services, safety, and living

conditions. The particularly high score for access to health services (M = 4.22) suggests that, despite the

absence of an antiretroviral therapy (ART) distribution center within Digos City itself, existing linkages to

regional treatment hubs and local health units are perceived as effective. This finding aligns with Ravindran et

al. (2020), who noted that environmental factors such as service availability and supportive living conditions

strongly influence perceived QoL among PLHIV. Physical health and social relationships shared the next

highest ratings, indicating that respondents generally feel capable of performing daily activities and benefit

from supportive personal and social networks. These results support the premise that functional capacity and

social integration are key protective factors in sustaining QoL (Lazarus et al., 2020).

future continue to erode psychological resilience. These results suggest that even in contexts where medical

access and social support are relatively strong, the internalized and structural effects of stigma may remain

respondents reported higher QoL scores, consistent with global evidence that stable income and occupational

engagement enhance self-esteem, reduce stress, and support consistent ART adherence (Lazarus et al., 2020).

This finding highlights the importance of integrating livelihood programs into HIV care frameworks, as

priorities— younger individuals may require targeted sexual health education and stigma reduction, while

older adults may need chronic disease management and interventions addressing social isolation (Anuradha et

al., 2020). Interestingly, no significant differences were found in QoL based on sex, educational attainment, or

marital status, indicating that, within this context, access to care and support services may be relatively

equitable across these groups.

The proposed health teaching program covered the PLHIV residing in the barangays of Digos City. The health

teaching program included modules focused on psychological wellness, physical health empowerment,

livelihood and economic empowerment, age-responsive support, and sustaining environmental and social

support. The program aimed to enhance the overall quality of life of PLHIV by addressing gaps in physical

in environmental and social support domains.

Overall, these findings point to a dual reality: while environmental support systems and social relationships in

Digos City appear to provide a strong foundation for PLHIV well-being, gaps remain in addressing

psychological health, employment stability, and age-specific needs. In response, this study developed the

“BUHAY NA BUO” Health Teaching Program, a holistic intervention framework aimed at strengthening

psychological wellness through counseling and peer support, promoting physical health maintenance,

expanding economic and livelihood opportunities, and delivering age-appropriate care strategies. By

addressing these priority areas, the program seeks to transform the areas of relative weakness identified in the

QoL assessment into opportunities for sustained improvement.

However, the study is not without limitations. Its cross-sectional design restricts the ability to infer causality,

and the purposive sampling of 76 participants from a single city limits the generalizability of findings. Self-

particularly in how the findings can inform regional health policy. For rural or underserved areas with fewer

health services, the results underscore the need for integrated interventions that combine mental health care,

In conclusion, the quality of life of PLHIV in Digos City is characterized by strong environmental and social

support systems but tempered by persistent psychological vulnerabilities and the influence of employment and

age on well-being. Interventions that integrate mental health services, economic empowerment, and age-

responsive care, while sustaining healthcare accessibility, hold the potential to significantly enhance the