**5. Conclusions**

Using bibliometrics analysis, we illustrate the development and current global trends of research on the QOL of PLWHA. Meanwhile, the results of the text mining techniques adopted provide a picture of current emerging research trends and topics and highlight research gaps. Despite a rather comprehensive coverage of topics relating to QOL in PLWHA, there has evidently been a lack of studies focusing on socio-cultural factors and their impacts on the QOL of those that are HIV-infected. Further studies should consider investigating the role of socio-cultural factors, especially where long-term treatment is involved. Policy-level decisions are recommended to be made based on the consideration of cultural factors, while collaborations between developed and developing nations, in particular with HIV/AIDS-ridden countries, are strongly recommended.

**Author Contributions:** Conceptualization, G.T.V., C.L.H., H.T.P., G.H.H. and R.C.M.H.; Data curation, B.J.H., H.T.P. and C.A.L.; Formal analysis, B.X.T., C.L.H., B.J.H. and H.T.P.; Funding acquisition, C.S.H.H. and G.H.H.; Investigation, B.X.T., B.J.H. and C.A.L.; Methodology, B.X.T., C.L.H., C.S.H.H. and G.H.H.; Project administration, G.T.V. and R.C.M.H.; Software, C.A.L. and G.H.H.; Supervision, G.T.V. and R.C.M.H.; Validation, C.S.H.H. and R.C.M.H.; Visualization, C.S.H.H.; Writing—original draft, G.T.V.; Writing—review and editing, G.T.V., B.X.T., C.L.H., B.J.H., H.T.P., C.A.L., C.S.H.H., G.H.H. and R.C.M.H. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

**Funding:** This research received no external funding

**Acknowledgments:** Not applicable.

**Conflicts of Interest:** The authors declare no conflict of interest.
