scholarly journals Psychological distress related to the COVID-19 epidemic in an Italian population of People Living with HIV: an online survey

2020 ◽  
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 ◽  
Italian Population ◽  
Hiv Diagnosis ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Living With Hiv

Abstract Purpose: Our aim was to explore the psychological impact of the 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) on People Living with HIV (PLWH), a population at increased risk of psychological distress.Methods: PLWH participated to an online survey exploring demographic and clinical data, physical symptoms, contact history, knowledge and concerns, precautionary measures and additional information about COVID-19 during the first phase of the pandemic in Italy. 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 comprised. Results: Out of 98 participants, 45% revealed from mild to severe psychological impact from COVID-19 according to IES-R. A lower percentage, instead, complained significant levels of depression (14%), anxiety (11%) or stress (6%) according to DASS-21. Aging, education, being unemployed, number of possible COVID-19 physical symptoms, concerns about risk of contracting COVID-19 and pandemic situation in Italy, and needing additional information to prevent COVID-19 infection were positively associated to a higher risk of negative psychological impact. Moreover, female gender, fewer years from HIV diagnosis and not being aware of own viremia were associated to a higher risk of negative psychological outcomes.Conclusion: Almost half of our PLWH sample experienced significant levels of distress related to COVID-19 pandemic. Women and those with recent HIV diagnosis seem the more psychological fragile subgroup. Our findings could help to identify patients most in need of psychological interventions to improve wellbeing of PLWH.

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 The Enemy Which Sealed the World: Effects of COVID-19 Diffusion on the Psychological State of the Italian Population

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 1802 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Forte ◽  
Francesca Favieri ◽  
Renata Tambelli ◽  
Maria Casagrande
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological State ◽  
Italian Population ◽  
Psychological Consequences ◽  
Indirect Contact ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Reported Data

Background: Starting from the first months of 2020, worldwide population has been facing the COVID-19 pandemic. Many nations, including Italy, took extreme actions to reduce the diffusion of the virus, profoundly changing lifestyles. The Italians have been faced with both the fear of contracting the infection and the consequences of enforcing social distancing. This study was aimed to understand the psychological impact of the COVID-19 outbreak and the psychopathological outcomes related to the first phase of this emergency. Methods: The study included 2291 respondents. An online survey collected information on socio-demographic variables, history of direct or indirect contact with COVID-19, and additional information concerning the COVID-19 emergency. Moreover, psychopathological symptoms such as anxiety, mood alterations and post-traumatic symptomatology were assessed. Results: The results revealed that respectively 31.38%, 37.19% and 27.72% of respondents reported levels of general psychopathological symptomatology, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms over the cut-off scores. Furthermore, a significant worsening of mood has emerged. Being a female or under the age of 50 years, having had direct contact with people infected by the COVID-19, and experiencing uncertainty about the risk of contagion represent risk factors for psychological distress. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that the first weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic appear to impact not only on physical health but also on psychological well-being. Although these results need to be considered with caution being based on self-reported data collected at the beginning of this emergency, they should be used as a starting point for further studies aimed to develop interventions to minimize both the brief and long-term psychological consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Psychological distress among Italians during the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) quarantine

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maurizio Bonati ◽  
Rita Campi ◽  
Michele Zanetti ◽  
Massimo Cartabia ◽  
Francesca Scarpellini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Responder Rate ◽  
Preventive Action ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Background Quarantine as a preventive action to reduce people’s exposure to a contagious disease has substantial psychological impact. We aimed to collect information on psychologically distressing experiences of Italians living in quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods From 6 to 20 April 2020 participants filled out an online questionnaire. Demographic and physical symptoms data from the prior 14 days of quarantine were collected. Psychological impact of quarantine was assessed by the COVID-19 Peritraumatic Distress Index (CPDI). Results In all, 20,158 participants completed the online survey. Of these, 11,910 (59.1%) were from Lombardy, the region with 37.7% of positive cases identified during the survey period. 30.1% of responders were male. About half (55.9%) of responders were 18–50 years old, 54.3% had a tertiary level of education, 69.5% were workers, 84.1% were living in houses with ≥3 rooms, and 13.7% were living alone. 9.7% had had contact with COVID-19 positive people. Of all responders, 9978 (48.6%) reported a psychological impact, 8897 (43.4%) of whom reported mild or moderate and 1081 (5.2%) severe psychological impact. The multivariate analysis, after adjustments, showed that an increasing CPDI score was associated with gender (female), first-second educational level, being unemployed, living in a ≤2 room house, having had new health problems during the previous 14 days, and not having been out of the house in the previous week. Concerning the type of psychological distress, 2003 responders (9.9%) reported moderate to severe depressive symptoms, 1131 (5.5%) moderate to severe anxiety symptoms, and 802 (3.9%) moderate to severe physical symptoms. A positive correlation was found between responder rate (per 10.000 residents) and positive COVID-19 cases (per 10.000 residents) by region (rs = + 0.83, p = < 0.0001), and between responder rate and region latitude (rs = + 0.91, p = < 0.0001), with a greater response rate in the north. Considering Lombardy Region responders, a negative correlation between CPDI score and distance from place of residence to the red zone (Nembro-Alzano) was found. Higher prevalence of psychological distress was found up to 25 km away from the red zone and, in particular, severe distress up to 15 km. Conclusions Policy makers and mental health professionals should be aware of quarantine’s adverse mental health consequences. Factors influencing the success of quarantine and infection control practices for both disease containment and community recovery should be identified and additional support to vulnerable persons at increased risk of adverse psychological and social consequences of quarantine should be guaranteed.

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 Clinical characteristics and outcomes of people living with HIV hospitalized with COVID-19: a nationwide experience

2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 435-443
Author(s):  
Maria Elena Ceballos ◽  
Patricio Ross ◽  
Martin Lasso ◽  
Isabel Dominguez ◽  
Marcela Puente ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Ventilation ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
General Population ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Cd4 Count ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Hiv Diagnosis ◽  
Hiv Viral Load ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Living With Hiv

In this prospective, multicentric, observational study, we describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of people living with HIV (PLHIV) requiring hospitalization due to COVID-19 in Chile and compare them with Chilean general population admitted with SARS-CoV-2. Consecutive PLHIV admitted with COVID-19 in 23 hospitals, between 16 April and 23 June 2020, were included. Data of a temporally matched-hospitalized general population were used to compare demography, comorbidities, COVID-19 symptoms, and major outcomes. In total, 36 PLHIV subjects were enrolled; 92% were male and mean age was 44 years. Most patients (83%) were on antiretroviral therapy; mean CD4 count was 557 cells/mm3. Suppressed HIV viremia was found in 68% and 56% had, at least, one comorbidity. Severe COVID-19 occurred in 44.4%, intensive care was required in 22.2%, and five patients died (13.9%). No differences were seen between recovered and deceased patients in CD4 count, HIV viral load, or time since HIV diagnosis. Hypertension and cardiovascular disease were associated with a higher risk of death ( p = 0.02 and 0.006, respectively). Compared with general population, the HIV cohort had significantly more men (OR 0.15; IC 95% 0.07–0.31) and younger age (OR 8.68; IC 95% 2.66–28.31). In PLHIV, we found more intensive care unit admission (OR 2.31; IC 95% 1.05–5.07) but no differences in the need for mechanical ventilation or death. In this cohort of PLHIV hospitalized with COVID-19, hypertension and cardiovascular comorbidities, but not current HIV viro-immunologic status, were the most important risk factors for mortality. No differences were found between PLHIV and general population in the need for mechanical ventilation and death.

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

Emotional Management, Psychological Issues, and Motivational Interviewing

2019 ◽  
pp. 115-122
Author(s):  
Pierre N. Azzam
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
General Population ◽  
Motivational Interviewing ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Psychological Issues ◽  
Emotional Management ◽  
Living With Hiv

People living with HIV (PLWH) experience significant psychological distress and are at risk of developing psychiatric symptoms and disorders similar to those seen in the general population. This chapter summarizes and reviews the psychological issues and challenges experienced by PLWH and discusses the integration of motivational interviewing (MI) into the patient-centered multifaceted medical and psychological care of PLWH. In the closing section, the author looks at future directions for using MI to care for PLWH and suffering from depression, anxiety, and/or trauma-based disorders and argues that further studies are needed to elucidate the efficacy, advantages, and potential limitations of MI for mitigating emotional distress specifically in PLWH.

scholarly journals Circulating microparticles are increased amongst people presenting with HIV and advanced immune suppression in Malawi and correlate closely with arterial stiffness: a nested case control study

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 264
Author(s):  
Christine Kelly ◽  
Rijan Gurung ◽  
Raphael Kamng'ona ◽  
Irene Sheha ◽  
Mishek Chammudzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Arterial Stiffness ◽  
Immune Suppression ◽  
Endothelial Damage ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Hiv Diagnosis ◽  
Art Initiation ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Circulating Microparticles ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
Nested Case Control

Background: We aimed to investigate whether circulating microparticle (CMPs) subsets were raised amongst people presenting with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and advanced immune suppression in Malawi, and whether they associated with arterial stiffness. Methods: Antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naïve adults with a new HIV diagnosis and CD4 <100 cells/µL had microparticle characterisation and carotid femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (cfPWV) at 2 weeks post ART initiation. HIV uninfected controls were matched on age, systolic blood pressure (BP) and diastolic BP in a 1:1 ratio.  Circulating microparticles were identified from platelet poor plasma and stained for endothelial, leucocyte, monocyte and platelet markers. Results: The median (IQ) total CMP count for 71 participants was 1 log higher in HIV compared to those without (p<0.0001) and was associated with arterial stiffness (spearman rho 0.47, p<0.001). In adjusted analysis, every log increase in circulating particles showed a 20% increase in cfPWV (95% confidence interval [CI] 4 – 40%, p=0.02). In terms of subsets, endothelial and platelet derived microparticles were most strongly associated with HIV. Endothelial derived E-selectin+ CMPs were 1.3log-fold higher and platelet derived CD42a+ CMPs were 1.4log-fold higher (both p<0.0001). Endothelial and platelet derived CMPs also correlated most closely with arterial stiffness (spearman rho: E-selectin+ 0.57 and CD42a 0.56, both p<0.0001). Conclusions: Circulating microparticles associate strongly with arterial stiffness among people living with HIV in Malawi. Endothelial damage and platelet microparticles are the predominant cell origin types and future translational studies could consider prioritising these pathways.

scholarly journals A social media-based study on the psychological impact of COVID-19 infections in recovered and recovering patients

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vikesh Kumar ◽  
Mohit Varshney ◽  
Harmandeep Singh ◽  
Amandeep Singh ◽  
Julien S. Baker
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Recovery Phase ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Study Participants

Abstract Objective: The WHO has stressed to regularly monitor the mental health of populations during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, we conducted this study to examine anxiety and depression among recovered and recovering COVID-19 patients. Subjects and Methods: An online survey was conducted using social media platforms. The study participants were COVID-19 infected individuals who had recovered or still were in the recovery phase from COVID-19. We collected information on demographics, clinical characteristics and physical complications of COVID-19. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were assessed using previously validated tools. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were applied to analyze the data. Results: 53.4% of respondents reported that they had a fear of getting COVID-19 again. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were present in 71.7% and 97.6% of respondents respectively. Both disorders were present in 71.3% of respondents. The respondents with shorter durations of physical symptoms (< 2 weeks) demonstrated less anxiety (OR = 0.19; 95% CI: 0.05 - 0.67) and depression (OR = 0.03; 95% CI: 0.01 - 0.37). Conclusion: Anxiety and depression appear as common psychological complications in COVID-19 recovering and recovered patients. Longer durations of COVID-19 related physical symptoms were associated with an increased likelihood of anxiety and depression.

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