Abstract

The growing population of elderly people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) faces a dual burden of managing HIV alongside age-related challenges, including depression, which significantly impairs quality of life (QoL). Yet empirical data addressing these intersecting issues among older Nigerians remain scarce. This cross-sectional study examined QoL and depression burden among 230 elderly PLWH (aged ≥50 years) attending two tertiary HIV clinics in Ibadan, Nigeria, identified perceived factors associated with depression, and determined independent predictors of poor QoL. Data were collected using the modified WHO Quality of Life–BREF (WHOQOL-BREF), the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), and a self-developed perceived-factors instrument. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression were employed. Results showed that 46.1% of participants reported low QoL, while 44.3% experienced clinically significant depression (mild: 34.3%; moderate: 9.1%; severe: 0.9%). Marital status, education, residence type, duration since HIV diagnosis, healthcare access, suicidal ideation, and stigmatisation were significantly associated with depression (p < .05). Binary logistic regression identified lack of healthcare access (OR = 2.046, p = .017), stigmatisation (OR = 2.477, p = .014), suicidal ideation (OR = 3.125, p = .013), and moderate-to-severe depression as independent predictors of poor QoL. Integrated mental health services, stigma-reduction programmes, and equitable healthcare access are urgently needed within HIV care settings.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, elderly, quality of life, depression, stigmatisation, mental health,

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