Factors associated with quality of life among people living with HIV in Malaysia: a systematic review.

Research on factors associated with quality of life (QoL) among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Malaysia is reported to be fragmented and underexplored. In response, the current systematic review aimed to synthesise the existing evidence regarding factors associated with QoL among this population. A systematic search for studies in PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, APA PsycArticles, and CINAHL databases from inception up to 21 June 2026 was conducted. The inclusion criteria were original peer-reviewed papers, conducted with adult PLHIV in Malaysia, investigated factors associated with QoL, published in English or Malay language, and with available full-texts. Data extraction of the selected articles was conducted, followed by a quality assessment. Eleven studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the systematic review. Thematic synthesis revealed 27 factors, which were then categorised into five analytical themes (physical, environmental, social, psychological, spiritual), reflecting most of the WHO Quality of Life (WHOQOL) framework. While different factors and domains were significantly associated with QoL among PLHIV in Malaysia, a limited number of papers were available for evaluation. Despite this, this review could offer clarity to disparate localised data, encourage future research, and practice initiatives to focus on these factors and domains in a more holistic manner.Abbreviations: AIDS: acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; ART: antiretroviral therapy; CASP-12: Control, Autonomy, Self-realisation, and Pleasure-12 scale; EQ-5D-3L: European Quality of Life Five-Dimension Three-Level Scale; EQ-VAS: EuroQol Visual Analogue Scale; FAHI: Functional assessment of human immunodeficiency virus infection; HAT-QoL: HIV/AIDS-Targeted Quality of Life; HIV: human immunodeficiency virus; HRQOL: health-related quality of life; IDUs: injecting drug users; JBI: Joanna Briggs Institute; LMIC: Low- and Middle- Income Countries; QOL: quality of life; SF-36: RAND 36-Item Health Survey; UNAIDS: Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS; WHO: World Health Organization; WHOQOL-BREF: World Health Organization Quality of Life; WHOQOL-HIV BREF: World Health Organization Quality of Life - HIV.