The effect of implementing Peplau's theory of interpersonal communication on the quality of life of patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Background and objectives: Patients with AIDS face many problems, including problems related to treatment, social and family exclusion, high treatment costs, and drug complications, which affect the quality of life of these patients and change it. The aim was to determine the effect of the application of Peplau's theory of interpersonal communication on the quality of life of patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Material and method: This quasi-experimental study was performed on 50 AIDS patients referred to Shahrekord Behavioral Diseases Counseling Center. Simple random sampling was performed and then the sample was assigned to two groups experimental and control. The theory of therapeutic communication of Peplau on patients in the experimental group was performed individually and immediately after the intervention and three months later the quality of life questionnaire was completed in both groups. In this research, the data collection tool includes a demographic information questionnaire and a WHOQOL-BREF. The WHOQOLBREF questionnaire measures the four domains of physical health, mental health, social relationships, and environmental health with 24 questions. The chi-square or Fisher's exact test, independent T-test and analysis of variance with repeated measurements were used to compare the quality of life of patients.

Results: Data analysis showed no statistically significant difference in the mean score of quality of life between the experimental and control groups before the implementation of Peplau's interpersonal communication theory (p=0.927). But after the intervention, there was a statistically significant difference in the mean score of quality of life between the two groups (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Findings of the study show the positive effects of using Peplau's therapeutic communication model on quality of life. Therefore, this method is recommended as an effective and cost-effective care model for all patients referred to the Shahrekord Behavioral Diseases Counseling Center.