The quality of life of HIV-infected women is associated with psychiatric morbidity

Authors:
TOSTES M.A., CHALUB M., BOTEGA N.J.
Journal article citation:
AIDS Care, 16(2), February 2004, pp.177-186.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis

Evaluates the effect of clinical, demographic and psychiatric factors on the health-related quality of life of 76 women with HIV infection seen in two HIV reference centres in Brazil. The generic questionnaire for evaluation of Health-Related Quality of Life (SF-36), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) and the Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS-R) were used. The statistical tests included the covariance analysis. The sub-group of the non-AIDS symptoms (clinical stage B) showed the worst quality of life. The variables which better explained the scoring variation on both the mental and physical components of the SF-36 were related to mental health. The more mental symptoms present, the worse the health-related quality of life. Concludes that care strategies should be rethought in the area of mental health which are directed toward HIV+ patients, by virtue of the levels of mental health symptoms found and the request for care which the research revealed.

Subject terms:
HIV AIDS, mental health problems, quality of life, women;
Content type:
research
Location(s):
Brazil
Link:
Journal home page
ISSN online:
1360-0451
ISSN print:
0954-0121

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