256428 Quality of life among rural women with HIV disease

Tuesday, October 30, 2012 : 9:15 AM - 9:30 AM

Medha V. Vyavaharkar, PhD, MPH, MD , South Carolina Rural Health Research Center, Department of Health Services Policy and Management, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina., Columbia, SC
Linda Moneyham, DNS, RN, FAAN , School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
Carolyn Murdaugh, PhD, RN, FAAN , College of Nursing, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Abbas Tavakoli, DrPH, MPH, ME , College of Nursing, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
     
Background: Transformation of HIV disease to a manageable chronic disease has shifted focus to quality of life (QOL) among persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Although, trends in HIV/AIDS epidemic indicate increasing impact on women, not many studies on QOL have focused exclusively on women with HIV disease, particularly those living in rural areas. Rural women with HIV disease face unique challenges due to distinct stressors and contextual circumstances related to rural residence. This study examined factors associated with quality of life (QOL) among rural women with HIV disease (n=399) living in the Southeastern United States. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using baseline data from a longitudinal study aimed at decreasing depression and improving QOL among rural women living with HIV. All analyses were conducted using SAS at 95% confidence level (alpha=.05) Results: Among socio-demographic variables, age (p=.003), race (p<.0001), and time of HIV-diagnosis (p=.03) were significantly associated with QOL. In bi-variate analysis, HIV symptoms (frequency and extent symptoms were bothersome), perceived stigma, internalized stigma, and depression had significant negative association with QOL whereas social support, problem-focused coping, perceived situational control, and healthy lifestyles had significant positive association with QOL (all p<.0001). In adjusted analysis, HIV-symptom frequency, depression, problem-focused coping, perceived situational control, perceived stigma, healthy lifestyles, and race remained significant predictors and explained 55% variance in QOL (F7, 390=66.7; p<.0001). Conclusion: These findings identify potential points of interventions to improve QOL among rural women living with HIV.

Learning Areas:
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
1)List at least three factors that are positively associated with quality of life among rural women with HIV disease, 2)List at least three factors that are negatively associated with quality of life among rural women with HIV disease, and 3)Discuss possible strategies that would help improve quality of life among rural women with HIV disease.

Keywords: Women and HIV/AIDS, Quality of Life

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been involved in HIV-related research over past few years. I have authored several peer-reviewed publications. I am also a reviewer for AIDS Care, AIDS & Behavior, Current HIV Research as well as for APHA's HIV/AIDS section and women's caucus. My research focuses on depression, quality of life, and access to care among vulnerable populations including those living with HIV disease, particularly women and those living in limited resource settings (rural and underserved areas).
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 4044.0: HIV and Women