Assessing the Quality of Life of HIV-Positive Patients on Antiretroviral Therapy and the Moderating Role of Pharmacist Counseling in Borno State, North East Nigeria

Quality of life is an important patient-centered outcome in HIV care, encompassing physical, psychological, social, and functional dimensions of wellbeing. While antiretroviral therapy has extended the lives of HIV-positive patients, the impact of pharmacist counseling on quality of life outcomes in Nigerian populations requires analytical investigation. This study assessed health-related quality of life among HIV-positive patients on antiretroviral therapy and examined the moderating role of pharmacist counseling at antiretroviral therapy clinics in Borno State, North East Nigeria. A cross-sectional analytical study enrolled 320 adult patients using the Medical Outcomes Study HIV Health Survey instrument, supplemented by a pharmacist counseling exposure questionnaire. Moderation analysis was conducted using hierarchical regression. Mean overall quality of life score was 52 out of 100, with the mental health and social functioning domains recording the lowest scores. Pharmacist counseling exposure was a significant positive moderator of quality of life, particularly in the domains of mental health and treatment adherence confidence. Patients receiving regular pharmacist counseling sessions had significantly higher scores across all domains compared to those with minimal or no counseling exposure. Duration on antiretroviral therapy, viral suppression, and absence of opportunistic infections were also significant predictors of higher quality of life. These findings demonstrate the measurable value of pharmacist counseling in improving HIV patient wellbeing in Borno State and support expanding counseling services across antiretroviral therapy sites in the North East zone. Keywords: quality of life, HIV, antiretroviral therapy, pharmacist counseling, Borno State