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Home Care - 3.1.1 Improved QoL
3.1.1 Improved Quality of life
Specific measurements of changes in quality of life (QOL) for PLHA were beyond the scope of this evaluation. However, selected indicators from QOL tools were included in the questionnaire used to guide the in-depth interviews with PLHA in Phnom Penh and Battambang.
Of the 100 PLHA interviewed in Phnom Penh, 85% said that they were better able to look after themselves, after being visited by the home care team.
“They taught me which foods were good, showed me how to keep myself and my house clean and they explained why I should take more rest. I didn’t know enough about these things”, [woman, age 35, Kilometre 6 (18) ]
83% said that home care visits had helped to improve how much they feel in control of their lives.
“I used to get annoyed very easily. I felt there was no hope. Now I am more hopeful and more at peace with myself” [man, age 37, Psar Dam Tkov (19) ]
“Before (I met the HCT), I wanted to kill myself, but after counselling I feel happier; I want to live longer; I want to spend time with my family” [woman, age 38, Doun Penh (20) ]
72% said that home care visits had improved their general well-being and physical health. Many said that, before home care visits began, they were bedridden.
“Before (home care visits started), I was seriously ill. I just slept in one place. I couldn’t even find the energy to get up. I can now walk and do a little work” [man, age 37, Psar Dam Tkov]
63% felt that the home care team had helped to change their outlook on the future.
“Now I am getting visits from (the HCT) , my health has improved and I am back at work. In fact I am now looking for promotion” [man, age 31, Chamkar Mon (21) ]
“I was very weak when I found out I had AIDS; I also became very depressed. The Home Care Team gave me medicines and provided counselling. I now feel the same as other people; I can talk to others (about my HIV status)”, [Pregnant woman, age 30, Tonle Bassac]
When asked (in an open-ended question) how might things be different if they didn’t have home care support, 92% of respondents feared that life without home-care support would be significantly more difficult. The main fears cited were:
“Before (home care visits) it was just hopeless; I wanted to kill myself. Now I just want to keep healthy and look for a job again” [man, age 41, Kilometre 6 (22) ]
Footnotes
(17) "Psychosometric validation of the revised Functional Assessment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection (FAH) quality of life instrument", Quality of Life Research; 1997, Vol 6: 572 - 584
(18) Area in Phnom Penh visited by one of the Home Care Teams
(19) Area in Phnom Penh visited by one of the Home Care Teams
(20) Area in Phnom Penh visited by one of the Home Care Teams
(21) Area in Phnom Penh visited by one of the Home Care Teams
(22) Area in Phnom Penh visited by one of the Home Care Teams
Specific measurements of changes in quality of life (QOL) for PLHA were beyond the scope of this evaluation. However, selected indicators from QOL tools were included in the questionnaire used to guide the in-depth interviews with PLHA in Phnom Penh and Battambang.
Of the 100 PLHA interviewed in Phnom Penh, 85% said that they were better able to look after themselves, after being visited by the home care team.
“They taught me which foods were good, showed me how to keep myself and my house clean and they explained why I should take more rest. I didn’t know enough about these things”, [woman, age 35, Kilometre 6 (18) ]
83% said that home care visits had helped to improve how much they feel in control of their lives.
“I used to get annoyed very easily. I felt there was no hope. Now I am more hopeful and more at peace with myself” [man, age 37, Psar Dam Tkov (19) ]
“Before (I met the HCT), I wanted to kill myself, but after counselling I feel happier; I want to live longer; I want to spend time with my family” [woman, age 38, Doun Penh (20) ]
72% said that home care visits had improved their general well-being and physical health. Many said that, before home care visits began, they were bedridden.
“Before (home care visits started), I was seriously ill. I just slept in one place. I couldn’t even find the energy to get up. I can now walk and do a little work” [man, age 37, Psar Dam Tkov]
63% felt that the home care team had helped to change their outlook on the future.
“Now I am getting visits from (the HCT) , my health has improved and I am back at work. In fact I am now looking for promotion” [man, age 31, Chamkar Mon (21) ]
“I was very weak when I found out I had AIDS; I also became very depressed. The Home Care Team gave me medicines and provided counselling. I now feel the same as other people; I can talk to others (about my HIV status)”, [Pregnant woman, age 30, Tonle Bassac]
When asked (in an open-ended question) how might things be different if they didn’t have home care support, 92% of respondents feared that life without home-care support would be significantly more difficult. The main fears cited were:
- isolation and having no-one to share their problems with
- not being able to access the medication provided by the teams
- rapid deterioration in their health
- increased stress and worries
- feeling hopeless
- loss of confidence
- being unsupported
- feeling discouraged and having no-one who cared for them.
“Before (home care visits) it was just hopeless; I wanted to kill myself. Now I just want to keep healthy and look for a job again” [man, age 41, Kilometre 6 (22) ]
Footnotes
(17) "Psychosometric validation of the revised Functional Assessment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection (FAH) quality of life instrument", Quality of Life Research; 1997, Vol 6: 572 - 584
(18) Area in Phnom Penh visited by one of the Home Care Teams
(19) Area in Phnom Penh visited by one of the Home Care Teams
(20) Area in Phnom Penh visited by one of the Home Care Teams
(21) Area in Phnom Penh visited by one of the Home Care Teams
(22) Area in Phnom Penh visited by one of the Home Care Teams