scholarly journals Stress-Related Growth and Perceived Health in Japanese People Living with HIV: Web-Based Nationwide Participatory Research.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taisuke Togari ◽  
Yoji Inoue ◽  
Gaku Oshima ◽  
Sakurako Abe ◽  
Rikuya Hosokawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Participatory Research ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Self Perception ◽  
Japanese People ◽  
Philosophy Of Life ◽  
Positive Growth ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background: For Japanese people living with HIV, this study aimed at the following: verifying the three-factor model of stress-related growth scales; confirming the impact of stress-related growth on mental health and physical symptoms; and determining differences in the effects of stress-related growth on health by time since HIV diagnosis.　Methods: A cross-sectional anonymous self-administered online survey which was prepared on the basis of the participatory research method was conducted from July 2013 to February 2014 and from December 2016 to July 2017 for all Japanese web users living with HIV. We analyzed the data of 1,422 participants who responded regarding the number of years since diagnosis and where transmission was sexual. The mean age (standard deviation) was 38.6 (8.3) years.　Results: Stress-related growth comprises three factors: self-perception, interpersonal relationships, and philosophy of life. In the group over 4 years since diagnosis, logistic and Poisson regression analysis simultaneously including all the scales showed a positive effect; in the group with less than 4 years since diagnosis, such an association was found only for self-perception. In the group with over 4 years since diagnosis, positive growth in interpersonal relationships and self-perception led to reduced somatic symptoms; however, philosophy of life was linked to increased physical symptoms. When the group with less than 4 years since diagnosis was included, no correlation was evident with philosophy of life; positive growth in self-perception led to reduced physical symptoms; positive changes in interpersonal relationships produced increased physical symptoms.　Conclusions: Toward assisting people living with HIV/AIDS, we found that personal and group relationships played an important role in creating positive changes regarding respondents’ perceptions of life and other people.

scholarly journals Stress-related Growth and Perceived Health in Japanese People Living With HIV: Web-based Nationwide Participatory Research.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taisuke Togari ◽  
Yoji Inoue ◽  
Gaku Oshima ◽  
Sakurako Abe ◽  
Rikuya Hosokawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Participatory Research ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Self Perception ◽  
Japanese People ◽  
Philosophy Of Life ◽  
Positive Growth ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background: For Japanese people living with HIV, this study aimed at the following: verifying the three-factor model of stress-related growth scales; confirming the impact of stress-related growth on mental health and physical symptoms; and determining differences in the effects of stress-related growth on health by time since HIV diagnosis.　Methods: A cross-sectional anonymous self-administered online survey which was prepared on the basis of the participatory research method was conducted from July 2013 to February 2014 and from December 2016 to July 2017 for all Japanese web users living with HIV. We analyzed the data of 1,422 participants who responded regarding the number of years since diagnosis and where transmission was sexual. The mean age (standard deviation) was 38.6 (8.3) years.　Results: Stress-related growth comprises three factors: self-perception, interpersonal relationships, and philosophy of life. In the group over 4 years since diagnosis, logistic and Poisson regression analysis simultaneously including all the scales showed a positive effect; in the group with less than 4 years since diagnosis, such an association was found only for self-perception. In the group with over 4 years since diagnosis, positive growth in interpersonal relationships and self-perception led to reduced somatic symptoms; however, philosophy of life was linked to increased physical symptoms. When the group with less than 4 years since diagnosis was included, no correlation was evident with philosophy of life; positive growth in self-perception led to reduced physical symptoms; positive changes in interpersonal relationships produced increased physical symptoms.　Conclusions: Toward assisting people living with HIV/AIDS, we found that personal and group relationships played an important role in creating positive changes regarding respondents’ perceptions of life and other people.

scholarly journals Psychological distress during the initial COVID-19 pandemic in an Italian cohort of people living with HIV: an online survey

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Delle Donne ◽  
Nicoletta Ciccarelli ◽  
Valentina Massaroni ◽  
Francesca Lombardi ◽  
Silvia Lamonica ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Lower Percentage ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Hiv Diagnosis ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Our aim was to explore the psychological impact of the initial 2019 Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in a cohort of people living with HIV (PLWH), a population at increased risk of psychological distress. PLWH, treated at our unit, responded an online survey. Data on demographics, clinical and physical symptoms, contact history, as well as knowledge, concerns, precautionary measures and additional information required with respect to COVID-19 during the first phase of the pandemic in Italy were collected. Additionally, the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) (identifying COVID-19 pandemic as specific traumatic life event) and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) were also administered. Out of 98 participants, 44 (45%) revealed from mild to severe psychological impact distress from COVID-19 according to IES-R. According to DASS-21, a lower percentage of significant levels of depression (14%), anxiety (11%) or stress (6%) were reported. Higher education, unemployment, number of perceived physical COVID-19 symptoms, concerns contracting COVID-19 and the situation regarding the pandemic in Italy, and the need of additional information to prevent COVID-19 infection were positively associated to psychological distress. Moreover, female gender, older age, recent HIV diagnosis and unawareness of own viremia were associated to a higher psychological distress. Almost half of our cohort experienced significant levels of distress related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Women, elderly patients and those with recent HIV diagnosis resulted to be the more psychological fragile subgroup. Our findings could help to identify patients in need of psychological interventions to improve wellbeing of PLWH.

scholarly journals Access Barriers to Health Services Perceived by People Living With HIV and Their Families

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 54
Author(s):  
Lemy Bran-Piedrahita ◽  
Sergio Gómez-Molina ◽  
Alejandro Valencia-Arias ◽  
Rosa Vélez-Holguín ◽  
Lucía Palacios-Moya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Immune Deficiency Syndrome ◽  
Deficiency Syndrome ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Access Barriers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Barriers To Health

INTRODUCCTION: The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that destroys the body's T cells. Its advanced stage is the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), since its onset, it has been extensively studied because of an associated burden of morbidity and also to understand the access barriers to diagnostic tests and the required treatment. Objective: To understand the barriers to access health services as perceived by adults living with HIV and their families in the city of Medellín (Colombia).METHODOLOGY: A qualitative investigation by using historical-hermeneutical approach was carried out, involving 23 participants (seropositive patients and their relatives). The information was collected through semi-structured interviews, later codified and analyzed based on Strauss and Corbin's Grounded Theory.RESULTS: In this study, the access barriers to health services as perceived by adults living with HIV and their families are represented in administrative constraints, affecting economic and interpersonal relationships as well as social nature that materialize the impact of the social stigmas created around the virus on the mental health of seropositive person and their closest affective environment.CONCLUSION: The stigma surrounding HIV leads seropositive people and their families to perceive it as a barrier to accessing cultural services, which demands greater intervention efforts by health authorities than other types of barriers in health systems.

scholarly journals Consequences of COVID-19 crisis for persons with HIV: the impact of social determinants of health

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristie C. Waterfield ◽  
Gulzar H. Shah ◽  
Gina D. Etheredge ◽  
Osaremhen Ikhile
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Hiv Infections ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Persons Who Inject Drugs ◽  
Persons Living With Hiv ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background With the indiscriminate spread of COVID-19 globally, many populations are experiencing negative consequences such as job loss, food insecurity, and inability to manage existing medical conditions and maintain preventive measures such as social distancing and personal preventative equipment. Some of the most disadvantaged in the COVID-19 era are people living with HIV/AIDS and other autoimmune diseases. Discussion As the number of new HIV infections decrease globally, many subpopulations remain at high risk of infection due to lack of or limited access to prevention services, as well as clinical care and treatment. For persons living with HIV or at higher risk of contracting HIV, including persons who inject drugs or men that have sex with men, the risk of COVID-19 infection increases if they have certain comorbidities, are older than 60 years of age, and are homeless, orphaned, or vulnerable children. The risk of COVID-19 is also more significant for those that live in Low- and Middle-Income Countries, rural, and/or poverty-stricken areas. An additional concern for those living the HIV is the double stigma that may arise if they also test positive for COVID-19. As public health and health care workers try to tackle the needs of the populations that they serve, they are beginning to realize the need for a change in the infrastructure that will include more efficient partnerships between public health, health care, and HIV programs. Conclusion Persons living with HIV that also have other underlying comorbidities are a great disadvantage from the negative consequences of COVID-19. For those that may test positive for both HIV and COVID-19, the increased psychosocial burdens stemming from stress and isolation, as well as, experiencing additional barriers that inhibit access to care, may cause them to become more disenfranchised. Thus, it becomes very important during the current pandemic for these challenges and barriers to be addressed so that these persons living with HIV can maintain continuity of care, as well as, their social and mental support systems.

scholarly journals Free access to antiretroviral treatment and protection against the risk of catastrophic health expenditure in people living with HIV: evidence from Cameroon

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marwân-al-Qays Bousmah ◽  
Marie Libérée Nishimwe ◽  
Christopher Kuaban ◽  
Sylvie Boyer
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Health Expenditure ◽  
Antiretroviral Treatment ◽  
Catastrophic Health Expenditure ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Free Access ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Art Policy ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background To foster access to care and reduce the burden of health expenditures on people living with HIV (PLHIV), several sub-Saharan African countries, including Cameroon, have adopted a policy of removing HIV-related fees, especially for antiretroviral treatment (ART). We investigate the impact of Cameroon’s free antiretroviral treatment (ART) policy, enacted in May 2007, on catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) risk according to socioeconomic status, in PLHIV enrolled in the country’s treatment access program. Methods Based on primary data from two cross-sectional surveys of PLHIV outpatients in 2006–2007 and 2014 (i.e., before and after the policy’s implementation, respectively), we used inverse propensity score weighting to reduce covariate imbalances between participants in both surveys, combined with probit regressions of CHE incidence. The analysis included participants treated with ART in one of the 11 HIV services common to both surveys (n = 1275). Results The free ART policy was associated with a significantly lower risk of CHE only in the poorest PLHIV while no significant effect was found in lower-middle or upper socioeconomic status PLHIV. Unexpectedly, the risk of CHE was higher in those with middle socioeconomic status after the policy’s implementation. Conclusions Our findings suggest that Cameroon’s free ART policy is pro-poor. As it only benefitted PLHIV with the lowest socioeconomic status, increased comprehensive HIV care coverage is needed to substantially reduce the risk of CHE and the associated risk of impoverishment for all PLHIV.

scholarly journals Vaccine responses in ageing and chronic viral infection

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chloe Rees-Spear ◽  
Laura E McCoy
Keyword(s):  
Viral Infections ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Chronic Infections ◽  
Vaccine Responses ◽  
Inflammatory Conditions ◽  
Immunological Changes ◽  
Cellular Responsiveness ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Lay Summary Improved life expectancy in recent years has led to a growing population of adults over the age of 60. Age is commonly associated with increased inflammatory conditions and infections. Similar immunological changes have been observed during chronic infections, in particular HIV, where this is compounded by the success of antiretroviral therapy that has increased the number of people living with HIV into their sixties and beyond. The increased susceptibility of these groups to infection makes vaccination all the more important. However, the alterations to their immune systems call into question how effective those vaccinations may be. Here we discuss vaccine efficacy within elderly and chronically infected populations and investigate the immunological changes that may impact vaccine responsiveness. Over the last few decades, changing population demographics have shown that there is a growing number of individuals living past the age of 60. With this expanding older population comes an increase in individuals that are more susceptible to chronic illness and disease. An important part of maintaining health in this population is through prophylactic vaccination, however, there is growing evidence that vaccines may be less effective in the elderly. Furthermore, with the success of anti-viral therapies, chronic infections such as HIV are becoming increasingly prevalent in older populations and present a relatively unstudied population with respect to the efficacy of vaccination. Here we will examine the evidence for age-associated reduction in antibody and cellular responsiveness to a variety of common vaccines, and investigate the underlying causes attributed to this phenomenon, such as inflammation and senescence. We will also discuss the impact of chronic viral infections on immune responses in both young and elderly patients, particularly those living with HIV, and how this affects vaccinations in these populations.

scholarly journals Stigma, gay men and biomedical prevention: the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly changing HIV prevention landscape

Sexual Health ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham Brown ◽  
William Leonard ◽  
Anthony Lyons ◽  
Jennifer Power ◽  
Dirk Sander ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Prevention ◽  
Gay Men ◽  
Sexual Minorities ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Structural Level ◽  
Biomedical Technologies ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
The Impact

Improvements in biomedical technologies, combined with changing social attitudes to sexual minorities, provide new opportunities for HIV prevention among gay and other men who have sex with men (GMSM). The potential of these new biomedical technologies (biotechnologies) to reduce HIV transmission and the impact of HIV among GMSM will depend, in part, on the degree to which they challenge prejudicial attitudes, practices and stigma directed against gay men and people living with HIV (PLHIV). At the structural level, stigma regarding gay men and HIV can influence the scale-up of new biotechnologies and negatively affect GMSM’s access to and use of these technologies. At the personal level, stigma can affect individual gay men’s sense of value and confidence as they negotiate serodiscordant relationships or access services. This paper argues that maximising the benefits of new biomedical technologies depends on reducing stigma directed at sexual minorities and people living with HIV and promoting positive social changes towards and within GMSM communities. HIV research, policy and programs will need to invest in: (1) responding to structural and institutional stigma; (2) health promotion and health services that recognise and work to address the impact of stigma on GMSM’s incorporation of new HIV prevention biotechnologies; (3) enhanced mobilisation and participation of GMSM and PLHIV in new approaches to HIV prevention; and (4) expanded approaches to research and evaluation in stigma reduction and its relationship with HIV prevention. The HIV response must become bolder in resourcing, designing and evaluating programs that interact with and influence stigma at multiple levels, including structural-level stigma.

Quality of Life in People Living With HIV: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Survey in Belgium

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 249-264
Author(s):  
Gert Scheerder ◽  
Sandra Van den Eynde ◽  
Patrick Reyntiens ◽  
Ria Koeck ◽  
Jessika Deblonde ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Sexual Life ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Related Stigma ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
The Impact

This cross-sectional survey explored the quality of life in 505 people living with HIV in Belgium. Several domains of quality of life were impaired: 26% had been diagnosed with depression and 43% had weak social support. HIV-related stigma is still widespread, with 49% believing most people with HIV are rejected and 65% having experienced discrimination due to HIV. The impact of HIV was limited on professional life, but 40% experienced a negative impact on life satisfaction and 41% a negative impact on sexual life. For several domains, people with a recent diagnosis of HIV and long-term survivors had significantly worse scores. This survey also uncovered strengths of people living with HIV, such as positive coping and HIV self-image. Expanding the scope of quality of life in people living with HIV may provide a more complete picture of relevant life domains that may be impacted by living with HIV, but this needs further validation.

scholarly journals Self-management Interventions for Pain and Physical Symptoms Among People Living With HIV

2018 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 206-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kennedy Nkhoma ◽  
Christine Norton ◽  
Caroline Sabin ◽  
Alan Winston ◽  
Jessica Merlin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Self Management ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Management Interventions ◽  
Living With Hiv

scholarly journals Aging, Health, and Quality of Life for Older People Living With HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Review and Proposed Conceptual Framework

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark J. Siedner
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
The Impact

Objective: The number of people living with HIV (PLWH) over 50 years old in sub-Saharan Africa is predicted to triple in the coming decades, to 6-10 million. Yet, there is a paucity of data on the determinants of health and quality of life for older PLWH in the region. Methods: A review was undertaken to describe the impact of HIV infection on aging for PLWH in sub-Saharan Africa. Results: We (a) summarize the pathophysiology and epidemiology of aging with HIV in resource-rich settings, and (b) describe how these relationships might differ in sub-Saharan Africa, (c) propose a conceptual framework to describe determinants of quality of life for older PLWH, and (d) suggest priority research areas needed to ensure long-term gains in quality of life for PLWH in the region. Conclusions: Differences in traditional, lifestyle, and envirnomental risk factors, as well as unique features of HIV epidemiology and care delivery appear to substantially alter the contribution of HIV to aging in sub-Saharan Africa. Meanwhile, unique preferences and conceptualizations of quality of life will require novel measurement and intervention tools. An expanded research and public health infrastructure is needed to ensure that gains made in HIV prevention and treamtent are translated into long-term benefits in this region.

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