Causal model of health: Health-related quality of life in people living with HIV/AIDS in the northern region of Thailand

Predictors of health-related quality of life among older adults living with HIV in Thailand: results from the baseline and follow-up surveys

The current longitudinal study consisted of baseline and follow-up surveys among older adults living with HIV (OALHIV) in Thailand. The health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study HIV (MOS-HIV) questionnaire. We performed multiple linear regression analysis to document correlates of HRQoL at baseline and the predictors of the changes in HRQoL at follow-up. Of the 364 participants recruited at baseline; 327 (89.9%) completed the follow-up survey. The mean (SD) Physical Health Summary (PHS) and Mental Health Summary (MHS) scores were respectively 49.8 (7.3) and 53.2 (6.4). There was a significant increase in the mean score of most of the MOS-HIV domains, ranging between 1.3 for the PHS and 26.9 for the energy/fatigue dimension. In contrast, the mean score significantly decreased by 4.1 and 10.3 points, respectively for the cognitive and social functioning. Female gender was a predictor of the decline in social (β = -11.37; P = 0.031) and cognitive (β = -8.05; P = 0.002) functioning at follow-up, while being married was related to an increase of in the score of energy/fatigue (vitality) (β = 5.98; P = 0.011) at follow-up. Physical exercise was associated with an increase in social functioning (β = 9.38; p = 0.042). Overall the HRQoL of OALHIV improved or was maintained over time.

Validity of Social Support Scales Utilized Among HIV-Infected and HIV-Affected Populations: A Systematic Review

Social support enhances self-management and prevention of behaviors and is typically assessed using self-report scales; however, little is known about the validity of these scales in HIV-infected or affected populations. This systematic review aims to identify available validated social support scales used in HIV-infected and HIV-affected populations. A systematic literature search using key search terms was conducted in electronic databases. After rounds abstract screenings, full-text reviews, and data abstraction 17 studies remained, two of which assessed multiple social support scales, which increased number of scales to 19. Most scales assessed positive social support behaviors (n = 18). Most scales assessed perceived social support (n = 14) compared to received social support. Reliability ranged from 0.67 to 0.97. The most common forms of validation reported were content validity and construct validity and the least was criterion-related validity. Future research should seek to build evidence for validation for existing scales used in HIV-infected or HIV-affected populations.

Anticipated suicidal ideation among female injecting drug users who are sex workers of negative or unknown HIV status in China

In China, female injection drug users who are also sex workers (IDUFSW) have a high prevalence of HIV and low prevalence of HIV testing. They are concerned about HIV infection and may be subjected to the risk of suicidal ideation if they become infected, due to stress and discrimination. During 2005-2006, we recruited 199 IDUFSW who self-reported negative/unknown HIV sero-status in Dazhou, Sichuan, China, to investigate the prevalence of and factors associated with suicidal ideation if they became HIV positive. Among the participants, 40.7% responded affirmatively to the question "Whether you would commit suicide if you were infected with HIV in the future?" In multivariate analyses, hatred toward oneself, perception of dying within 2-3 years, perceived nonavailability of HIV-related treatment, inability to cope with HIV-related trauma, and inclination to leave one's family if one contracted HIV were significant factors related to anticipated suicidal ideation under the hypothetical situation of HIV infection. The odds ratios (OR) ranged from 2.38 to 10.36 (p < .05). These findings can facilitate the planning of primary suicidal prevention services targeting high-risk, non-HIV-positive IDUFSW. Such programs may enhance psychosocial support, empowerment, cultivation of positive coping strategies, and perceived accessibility to treatment, and be integrated with HIV testing.

HIV-related symptoms and patient clusters among Chileans living with HIV

Identifying both Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related and co-morbid symptoms experienced by people living with HIV (PLWH) who are receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) treatment is a major challenge for healthcare providers globally. Yet, little research to date has examined the symptoms of illness experienced by PLWH including patients living in Central and South American. To address this gap, this study was designed to identify symptoms of HIV by socio-demographic and/or clinical characteristics among Chilean patients living with the virus. A convenience sample of 209 Chilean PLWH was recruited from an outpatient clinic in Santiago, Chile. A structured interview was used to elicit socio-demographic information and HIV symptoms status. Additional clinical information was obtained through a review of the participants' medical records. Results show that patients' most commonly reported HIV-related symptoms were fear/worries (66%), anxiety (52%), gas/bloating (50%), and thirst (50%). Multivariate analysis revealed a positive association between the number of reported HIV-related symptoms and number of years living with HIV. Having completed college was negatively associated with number of symptoms. Latent class analysis indicated that PLWH in the sample who had completed college were two times more likely to experience a mild intensity of HIV-related symptoms than their lesser educated counterparts. Similarly, logistic regression revealed that college-educated PLWH were twice as likely to be classified in the subgroup reporting mild intensity of symptoms than those who lacked a college degree. Overall, the study's results reveal that many Chilean PLWH, even those with high CD4 counts and low or undetectable viral loads, are not symptom free. The findings point to the need for clinicians to tailor a plan of care for individuals living with HIV that is based on their symptomatology.