Factors associated with quality of life among rural women with HIV disease

AIDS Behav. 2012 Feb;16(2):295-303. doi: 10.1007/s10461-011-9917-y.

Abstract

This cross-sectional study examined physical, psychological, and social factors associated with quality of life (QOL) among a sample of 399 rural women with HIV disease living in the Southeastern United States. Of the 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 were significantly and negatively associated with QOL whereas social support, problem-focused coping, perceived situational control, and healthy lifestyles were significantly and positively associated 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 of QOL and explained 55% of the variance in QOL among the study participants (model F (7, 390) = 66.7; p < .0001). The study findings identify potential points of interventions to improve QOL among rural women with HIV disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Depression / epidemiology
  • Depression / etiology*
  • Ethnicity
  • Female
  • HIV Seropositivity / complications*
  • HIV Seropositivity / epidemiology
  • HIV Seropositivity / psychology
  • Humans
  • Life Style*
  • Middle Aged
  • Quality of Life*
  • Risk Factors
  • Rural Health
  • Self Concept
  • Social Perception
  • Social Support*
  • Southeastern United States / epidemiology
  • Stereotyping
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult