scholarly journals Disability and Self-care Living Strategies Among Adults Living With HIV During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly K O'Brien ◽  
Ahmed M Bayoumi ◽  
Soo Chan Carusone ◽  
Aileen M Davis ◽  
Rachel Aubry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Health ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Community Services ◽  
Strategy Use ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Attitudes And Beliefs ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Antiretroviral Adherence ◽  
Severity Scores ◽  
Living With Hiv

Abstract BackgroundEvents associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, such as physical distancing, closure of community services, postponement of health appointments, and loss of employment can lead to social isolation, financial uncertainty, and interruption of antiretroviral adherence, resulting in additional health-related challenges (disability) experienced among adults living with chronic illness such as HIV. ‘Living strategies’ is a concept derived from the perspective of people living with HIV, defined as behaviors, attitudes and beliefs adopted by people living with HIV to help deal with disability associated with HIV and multi-morbidity. Our aim was to describe disability among adults living with HIV and self-care living strategies used during the COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsAdults living with HIV in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, including some with pre-pandemic HIV Disability Questionnaire (HDQ) data, completed a cross-sectional web-based survey between June-August 2020. The survey included the HDQ and questions about self-care living strategy use during the pandemic. We compared disability (HDQ) scores prior to versus during the pandemic using paired t-tests. We reported the proportion of participants who engaged in various living strategies at least ‘a few times a week’ or ‘everyday’ during the pandemic. ResultsOf the 63 respondents, 84% were men, median age 57 years, and 62% lived alone. During the pandemic the greatest disability severity was in the uncertainty (median 30; Interquartile range (IQR): 16, 43) and mental-emotional (25; IQR: 14, 41) domains. Among the 51 participants with pre-pandemic data, HDQ severity scores were significantly greater (worse) during the pandemic (vs prior) in all domains. Greatest change from prior to during the pandemic was in the mental-emotional domain for presence (17.7; p<0.001), severity (11.4; p<0.001), and episodic nature (9.3; p<0.05) of disability. Most participants (>60%) reported engaging a ‘few times a week’ or ‘everyday’ in self-care strategies associated with maintaining sense of control and adopting positive attitudes and beliefs. ConclusionsPeople living with HIV reported high levels of uncertainty and mental-emotional health challenges during the pandemic. Disability increased across all HDQ dimensions, with the greatest worsening in the mental-emotional health domain. Results provide an understanding of disability and self-care strategy use during the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Disability and self-care living strategies among adults living with HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly K. O’Brien ◽  
Ahmed M. Bayoumi ◽  
Soo Chan Carusone ◽  
Aileen M. Davis ◽  
Rachel Aubry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Health ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Community Services ◽  
Strategy Use ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Attitudes And Beliefs ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Antiretroviral Adherence ◽  
Severity Scores ◽  
Living With Hiv

Abstract Background Events associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, such as physical distancing, closure of community services, postponement of health appointments, and loss of employment can lead to social isolation, financial uncertainty, and interruption of antiretroviral adherence, resulting in additional health-related challenges (disability) experienced among adults living with chronic illness such as HIV. ‘Living strategies’ is a concept derived from the perspectives of people living with HIV, defined as behaviors, attitudes and beliefs adopted by people living with HIV to help deal with disability associated with HIV and multi-morbidity. Our aim was to describe disability among adults living with HIV and self-care living strategies used during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Adults living with HIV in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, including some with pre-pandemic HIV Disability Questionnaire (HDQ) data, completed a cross-sectional web-based survey between June–August 2020. The survey included the HDQ and questions about self-care living strategy use during the pandemic. We compared disability (HDQ) scores prior to versus during the pandemic using paired t-tests. We reported the proportion of participants who engaged in various living strategies at least ‘a few times a week’ or ‘everyday’ during the pandemic. Results Of the 63 respondents, 84% were men, median age 57 years, and 62% lived alone. During the pandemic the greatest disability severity was in the uncertainty [median 30; Interquartile range (IQR): 16, 43] and mental-emotional (25; IQR: 14, 41) domains. Among the 51 participants with pre-pandemic data, HDQ severity scores were significantly greater (worse) during the pandemic (vs prior) in all domains. Greatest change from prior to during the pandemic was in the mental-emotional domain for presence (17.7; p < 0.001), severity (11.4; p < 0.001), and episodic nature (9.3; p < 0.05) of disability. Most participants (> 60%) reported engaging a ‘few times a week’ or ‘everyday’ in self-care strategies associated with maintaining sense of control and adopting positive attitudes and beliefs. Conclusions People living with HIV reported high levels of uncertainty and mental-emotional health challenges during the pandemic. Disability increased across all HDQ dimensions, with the greatest worsening in the mental-emotional health domain. Results provide an understanding of disability and self-care strategy use during the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Relationship between Information Skills and Antiretroviral Adherence in People Living With HIV/AIDS

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 23
Author(s):  
Novianti Lailiah ◽  
Nursalam Nursalam ◽  
Ninuk Dian Kurniawati
Keyword(s):  
Rating Scale ◽  
Peer Group ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
P Value ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Antiretroviral Adherence ◽  
Information Skills ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
Hiv Aids

Introduction: Adherence in ARV therapy is an important mechanism in preventing drug resistance. The level of adherence is influenced by several factors, one of which is the information skills factor. This study aims to analyze the relationship between information skills and ARV adherence in People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).Method: This was a cross-sectional approach with a sample size of 100 respondents who were selected through simple random sampling technique. The inclusion criteria for respondents were PLWHA who were undergoing ARV therapy, cooperative, aged 20-60 years. The instrument used was information skills questionnaire and Medical Adherence Rating Scale (MARS). The data were analyzed using descriptive analysis and logistic regression test with p value ≤ 0.05.Results: Information skills were  associated with ARV adherence (p = 0.01). Information skills consisting of knowledge about HIV/AIDS and ARV therapy can increase ARV adherence in PLWHA with indicators taking drugs regularly and have medical control on schedule.Conclusions: The information skills factor has an effect on ARV adherence. Increasing information skills can be done through educational activities or peer-group support aimed at gaining insight into disease and treatment, especially for newly diagnosed PLWHA.

Prevalence of COVID-19-like Symptoms among People Living with HIV, and Using Antiretroviral Therapy for Prevention and Treatment

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 373-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
SeyedAhmad SeyedAlinaghi ◽  
Maryam Ghadimi ◽  
Mahboubeh Hajiabdolbaghi ◽  
Mehrnaz Rasoolinejad ◽  
Ladan Abbasian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Symptoms ◽  
Antiretroviral Treatment ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Shortness Of Breath ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Limited Data ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Living With Hiv

Background: COVID-19 has spread globally with remarkable speed, and currently, there is limited data available exploring any aspect of the intersection between HIV and SARSCoV- 2 co-infection. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of clinical symptoms associated with COVID-19 among people living with HIV (PLWH) in Tehran, Iran. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: A total of 200 PLWH were recruited through the positive club via sampling, and completed the symptom-based questionnaire for COVID-19, which was delivered by trained peers. Results: Of 200 participants, respiratory symptoms, including cough, sputum, and shortness of breath, were the most prevalent among participants, but only one person developed symptoms collectively suggested COVID-19 and sought treatments. Conclusions: It appears that existing infection with HIV or receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART) might reduce the susceptibility to the infection with SARS-CoV-2 or decrease the severity of the infection acquired. Further research is needed to understand causal mechanisms.

Metabolic Syndrome in HIV-patients in Antiretroviral Therapy

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 388-395
Author(s):  
Daniel Vargas-Pacherrez ◽  
Helma P. Cotrim ◽  
Leonardo Pires ◽  
Vitor Cunha ◽  
Vitor Coelho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
International Diabetes Federation ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Anthropometric Data ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
History Of ◽  
Family History Of Hypertension ◽  
Living With Hiv

Introduction: The global prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) among people living with HIV/AIDS varies from 20% to 33%. Objective: to estimate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and associated factors in a group of HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with HIV-infected patients from a reference center in Bahia, Brazil. We evaluated clinical, socio-demographic and anthropometric data. MS was defined according to the guidelines of International Diabetes Federation. Results: We evaluated 152 patients with mean age of 47.3±11.6 years, 59.2% male. The main comorbidities detected were diabetes (3.3%) hypertriglyceridemia (9.3%) and metabolic syndrome (MS,38.2%). Patients with MS were predominantly women (55.2% vs 31.9%; p=0.005), older [52.1 (10.4) vs 44.3 (11.3); p<0.001], and had overweight (74.1% vs 23.4%; p<0.001). After multivariate analysis MS remained associated with age (OR = 1.076; 95% CI: 1.030 – 1.125), female sex (OR = 2.452; 95% CI: 1.114 – 5.374) and family history of hypertension (OR = 3.678; 95% CI: 1.431 – 9.395). Conclusion: Almost half of the HIV-infected patients in Bahia presents with MS which seems to be driven by classical risk factors.

scholarly journals Stigma mastery in people living with HIV: gender similarities and theory

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Patrick Namisi ◽  
John C. Munene ◽  
Rhoda K. Wanyenze ◽  
Anne R. Katahoire ◽  
Rosalinda M. Parkes-Ratanshi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Women ◽  
Social Exclusion ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Hiv Diagnosis ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Related Stigma ◽  
Living With Hiv

Abstract Aims This study aimed to determine the prevalence of, factors associated with, and to build a theoretical framework for understanding Internalsed HIV-related Stigma Mastery (IHSM). Methods A cross-sectional study nested within a 2014 Stigma Reduction Cohort in Uganda was used. The PLHIV Stigma Index version 2008, was used to collect data from a random sample of 666 people living with HIV (PLHIV) stratified by gender and age. SPSS24 with Amos27 softwares were used to build a sequential-mediation model. Results The majority of participants were women (65%), aged ≥ 40 years (57%). Overall, IHSM was 45.5% among PLHIV, that increased with age. Specifically, higher IHSM correlated with men and older women “masculine identities” self-disclosure of HIV-diagnosis to family, sharing experiences with peers. However, lower IHSM correlated with feminine gender, the experience of social exclusion stress, fear of future rejection, and fear of social intimacy. Thus, IHSM social exclusion with its negative effects and age-related cognition are integrated into a multidimensional IHSM theoretical framework with a good model-to-data fit. Conclusion Internalised HIV-related Stigma Mastery is common among men and older women. Specificially, “masculine identities” self-disclose their own HIV-positive diagnosis to their family, share experiences with peers to create good relationships for actualising or empowerment in stigma mastery. However, social exclusion exacerbates series of negative effects that finally undermine stigma mastery by young feminine identities. Thus, stigma mastery is best explained by an integrated empowerment framework, that has implications for future practice, policy, and stigma-related research that we discuss.

scholarly journals Differential relationships of stress and HIV disclosure by gender: a person centered longitudinal study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chengbo Zeng ◽  
Shan Qiao ◽  
Xiaoming Li ◽  
Xueying Yang ◽  
Zhiyong Shen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Growth Mixture Modeling ◽  
Hiv Disclosure ◽  
Lower Probability ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Target Number ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Growth Mixture ◽  
Cross Sectional Design ◽  
Living With Hiv

Abstract Background Existing literature mostly consider HIV disclosure as a static event and investigate its relationship with stress using a cross-sectional design. It is unclear about the dynamic changes of HIV disclosure levels (defined as the number of disclosure targets) and how stress may influence these changes. This study explored different disclosure levels using a person-centered longitudinal approach, examined whether stress could predict these disclosure levels, and investigated if this relationship differed by gender among people living with HIV (PLWH). Methods Data were derived from a prospective cohort study conducted from November 2016 to January 2018 in Guangxi, China. Four hundred forty-four PLWH were included. Participants were assessed on perceived stress, sociodemographic characteristics, and number of HIV disclosure targets at baseline, 6-month, and 12-month follow-ups. Growth mixture modeling was used to characterize disclosure levels based on the changes of disclosure target number. Multinomial logistic regression was used to predict disclosure levels with baseline stress after adjusting for covariates. The interaction effect of stress by gender was examined. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with its 95% confidence interval were reported to show the strength of association.  Results Three levels of disclosure were characterized as “Low levels of disclosure” (Level One), “Increased levels of disclosure” (Level Two), and “High levels of disclosure” (Level Three). Accordingly, 355 (81.2%), 28 (6.4%), and 64 (12.4%) of PLWH were categorized respectively under low, increased, and high levels of disclosure. The interaction of baseline stress by gender was significant in differentiating Level One from Three (AOR = 0.85 [0.74 ~ 0.99]) while it was not significant between Level One and Two (AOR = 0.96 [0.81 ~ 1.15]). Compared to female, male PLWH with higher baseline stress had lower probability to have consistent high disclosure levels over time. PLWH who were married/cohabited had lower probability of being classified into consistent high levels of disclosure than low level (AOR = 0.43 [0.19 ~ 0.94]). Conclusions There was gender difference in the relationship between stress and levels of HIV disclosure. To promote HIV disclosure, gender tailored interventions should be employed to help PLWH cope with stress.

scholarly journals Symptoms of common mental disorders and adherence to antiretroviral therapy among adults living with HIV in rural Zimbabwe: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. e049824
Author(s):  
Andreas D Haas ◽  
Cordelia Kunzekwenyika ◽  
Stefanie Hossmann ◽  
Josphat Manzero ◽  
Janneke van Dijk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Common Mental Disorders ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Art Adherence ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Living With Hiv

ObjectivesTo examine the proportion of people living with HIV who screen positive for common mental disorders (CMD) and the associations between CMD and self-reported adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART).SettingSixteen government-funded health facilities in the rural Bikita district of Zimbabwe.DesignCross-sectional study.ParticipantsHIV-positive non-pregnant adults, aged 18 years or older, who lived in Bikita district and had received ART for at least 6 months.Outcome measuresThe primary outcome was the proportion of participants screening positive for CMD defined as a Shona Symptoms Questionnaire score of 9 or greater. Secondary outcomes were the proportion of participants reporting suicidal ideation, perceptual symptoms and suboptimal ART adherence and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) for factors associated with CMD, suicidal ideation, perceptual symptoms and suboptimal ART adherence.ResultsOut of 3480 adults, 18.8% (95% CI 14.8% to 23.7%) screened positive for CMD, 2.7% (95% CI 1.5% to 4.7%) reported suicidal ideations, and 1.5% (95% CI 0.9% to 2.6%) reported perceptual symptoms. Positive CMD screens were more common in women (aPR 1.67, 95% CI 1.19 to 2.35) than in men and were more common in adults aged 40–49 years (aPR 1.47, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.85) or aged 50–59 years (aPR 1.51, 95% CI 1.05 to 2.17) than in those 60 years or older. Positive CMD screen was associated with suboptimal adherence (aPR 1.53; 95% CI 1.37 to 1.70).ConclusionsA substantial proportion of people living with HIV in rural Zimbabwe are affected by CMD. There is a need to integrate mental health services and HIV programmes in rural Zimbabwe.Trial registration numberNCT03704805.

scholarly journals Clinical situation of Venezuelan migrants living with HIV in a hospital in Lima, Peru

2021 ◽  
pp. 095646242110240
Author(s):  
Genesis S Huerta-Vera ◽  
Manuel A Amarista ◽  
Fernando A Mejía ◽  
Ana B Graña ◽  
Elsa V Gonzalez-Lagos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Suppression ◽  
Clinical Situation ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Epidemiological Trends ◽  
Clinical Conditions ◽  
Living With Hiv

Due to a huge crisis extensive to health services many Venezuelan people living with HIV (PLWH) had migrated abroad, including Peru where favorable laws were in place until June 2019. We describe the health status and epidemiological trends of PLWH from Venezuela at an HIV program in Lima. We analyzed baseline and follow-up data of all Venezuelan PLWH enrolled in our HIV program from January 2017 to December 2019. A cross-sectional study in a subsample served to describe ARV adherence and context of migration. Between 2017-2019 our HIV Program registered 398 Venezuelan PLWH, representing 20% of the 2018 annual enrollments; numbers decreased since mid-2019. The median age was 30 years (IQR 26;37) and 90.5% were men. Between 2017 and 2019, the proportion with diagnosis in Peru increased from 14.3% to 60.9%; of AIDS stage at entry, from 8.8% to 27.2%. By December 2019, 182/250 (72.8%) were still in care, and 43 (10.8%) had not started ART. Viral suppression evaluated in 195, was achieved in 71.8%. From 2017 to 2019, migrant PLWH arrived in worsened clinical conditions, with increasing diagnosis in Peru; the flow of migrant PLWH entering care diminished with less favorable laws. Viral suppression rates were suboptimal.

scholarly journals Food consumption and nutritional status of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA): a case of Thika and Bungoma Districts, Kenya

2009 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 475-479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Nafula Kuria
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
Hiv Aids

AbstractObjectiveTo establish the food consumption, dietary habits and nutritional status of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and adults whose HIV status is not established.DesignCross-sectional descriptive survey.SettingThika and Bungoma Districts, Kenya.SubjectsA random sample of 439 adults; 174 adults living with HIV/AIDS and 265 adults whose HIV/AIDS status was not established in Thika and Bungoma Districts.ResultsMajority of PLWHA consume foods that are low in nutrients to build up the immune system and help maintain adequate weight, and there is little variety in the foods they consume. More adults who are HIV-positive are undernourished than those whose status is not established. Of the HIV-positive adults, those with a BMI of ≤18·5 kg/m2 were 23·6 % (Thika 20·0 % and Bungoma 25·7 %) while of the adults whose status is not established those with BMI ≤ 18·5 kg/m2 were 13·9 % (Thika 9·3 % and Bungoma 16·7 %).ConclusionsAdults who are HIV-positive are more likely to be undernourished than those whose status is not established, as there is a significant difference (P = 0·000) between the nutritional status (BMI) of PLWHA and those whose HIV/AIDS status is not established. PLWHA consume foods that are low in nutrients to promote their nutritional well-being and health.

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