Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Factors Associated with Quality of Life Among Rural Women with HIV Disease

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
AIDS and Behavior Aims and scope Submit manuscript

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.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Este JA, Cihlar T. Current status and challenges of antiretroviral research and therapy. Antivir Res. 2010;85(1):25–33.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Hall HI, Song R, Rhodes P, et al. Estimation of HIV incidence in the United States. JAMA. 2008;300(5):520–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HIV prevalence estimates—United States, 2006. Morbidity and mortality weekly report (MMWR). 2008; Report no.: 57(39). http://cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5739a2.htm. Accessed 15 Feb 2009.

  4. Hays RD, Cunningham WE, Sherbourne CD, et al. Health-related quality of life in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection in the United States: results from the HIV Cost and Services Utilization Study. Am J Med. 2000;108(9):714–22.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Brown JL, Vanable PA. Cognitive-behavioral stress management interventions for persons living with HIV: a review and critique of the literature. Ann Behav Med. 2008;35(1):26–40.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Scott-Sheldon LA, Kalichman SC, Carey MP, Fielder RL. Stress management interventions for HIV+ adults: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, 1989 to 2006. Health Psychol. 2008;27(2):129–39.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. McDonnell KA, Gielen AC, Wu AW, O’Campo P, Faden R. Measuring health related quality of life among women living with HIV. Qual Life Res. 2000;9(8):931–40.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Campsmith ML, Nakashima AK, Davidson AJ. Self-reported health-related quality of life in persons with HIV infection: results from a multi-site interview project. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2003;1:12.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Kemppainen JK. Predictors of quality of life in AIDS patients. J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care. 2001;12(1):61–70.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Whetten K, Reif S. Overview: HIV/AIDS in the deep south region of the United States. AIDS Care. 2006;18(Suppl 1):S1–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HIV/AIDS surveillance report, 2007. 2009. http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/surveillance/resources/reports/. Accessed 23 Feb 2009.

  12. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cases of HIV infection and AIDS in urban and rural areas of the United States, 2006. HIV/AIDS surveillance supplemental report 2008, no. 13(2). http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/surveillance/resources/reports/#supplemental. Accessed 10 Feb 2009.

  13. The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. The HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States. 2009. http://kff.org/hivaids/us.cfm. Accessed 4 Feb 2010.

  14. Qian HZ, Taylor RD, Fawal HJ, Vermund SH. Increasing AIDS case reports in the South: U.S. trends from 1981–2004. AIDS Care. 2006;18(Suppl 1):S6–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. Women and HIV/AIDS in the United States: fact sheet. 2009. http://kff.org/hivaids/us.cfm. Accessed 4 Feb 2010.

  16. Farquhar M. Definitions of quality of life: a taxonomy. J Adv Nurs. 1995;22(3):502–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Carr AJ, Gibson B, Robinson PG. Measuring quality of life: is quality of life determined by expectations or experience? BMJ (Clin Res Ed). 2001;322(7296):1240–3.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Holmes S. Assessing the quality of life—reality or impossible dream? A discussion paper. Int J Nurs Stud. 2005;42(4):493–501.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Calman KC. Quality of life in cancer patients—an hypothesis. J Med Ethics. 1984;10(3):124–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Aranda-Naranjo B. Quality of life in the HIV-positive patient: implications and consequences. J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care. 2004;15(5 Suppl):20S–7S.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Lorenz KA, Cunningham WE, Spritzer KL, Hays RD. Changes in symptoms and health-related quality of life in a nationally representative sample of adults in treatment for HIV. Qual Life Res. 2006;15(6):951–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Bader A, Kremer H, Erlich-Trungenberger I, Rojas R, Lohmann M, Deobald O, et al. An adherence typology: coping, quality of life, and physical symptoms of people living with HIV/AIDS and their adherence to antiretroviral treatment. Med Sci Monit. 2006;12(12):CR493–500.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Eller LS. Quality of life in persons living with HIV. Clin Nurs Res. 2001;10(4):401–23.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Marcellin F, Preau M, Ravaux I, Dellamonica P, Spire B, Carrieri MP. Self-reported fatigue and depressive symptoms as main indicators of the quality of life (QOL) of patients living with HIV and Hepatitis C: implications for clinical management and future research. HIV Clin Trials. 2007;8(5):320–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Tate D, Paul RH, Flanigan TP, et al. The impact of apathy and depression on quality of life in patients infected with HIV. AIDS Patient Care STDs. 2003;17(3):115–20.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Tostes MA, Chalub M, Botega NJ. The quality of life of HIV-infected women is associated with psychiatric morbidity. AIDS Care. 2004;16(2):177–86.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Kang E, Rapkin BD, Remien RH, Mellins CA, Oh A. Multiple dimensions of HIV stigma and psychological distress among Asians and Pacific Islanders living with HIV illness. AIDS Behav. 2005;9(2):145–54.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Kinsler JJ, Wong MD, Sayles JN, Davis C, Cunningham WE. The effect of perceived stigma from a health care provider on access to care among a low-income HIV-positive population. AIDS Patient Care STDs. 2007;21(8):584–92.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Holzemer WL, Human S, Arudo J, et al. Exploring HIV stigma and quality of life for persons living with HIV infection. J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care. 2009;20(3):161–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Buseh AG, Kelber ST, Stevens PE, Park CG. Relationship of symptoms, perceived health, and stigma with quality of life among urban HIV-infected African American men. Public Health Nurs. 2008;25(5):409–19.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Cohen S, Wills TA. Stress, social support, and the buffering hypothesis. Psychol Bull. 1985;98(2):310–57.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Heckman TG, Somlai AM, Sikkema KJ, Kelly JA, Franzoi SL. Psychosocial predictors of life satisfaction among persons living with HIV infection and AIDS. J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care. 1997;8(5):21–30.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Nunes JA, Raymond SJ, Nicholas PK, Leuner JD, Webster A. Social support, quality of life, immune function, and health in persons living with HIV. J Holist Nurs. 1995;13(2):174–98.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Gielen AC, McDonnell KA, Wu AW, O’Campo P, Faden R. Quality of life among women living with HIV: the importance violence, social support, and self care behaviors. Soc Sci Med. 2001;52(2):315–22.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Lazarus RS, Folkman S. Stress, appraisal, and coping. New York: Springer; 1984.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Lazarus RS. Coping theory and research: past, present, and future. Psychosom Med. 1993;55(3):234–47.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Moskowitz JT, Hult JR, Bussolari C, Acree M. What works in coping with HIV? A meta-analysis with implications for coping with serious illness. Psychol Bull. 2009;135(1):121–41.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Vosvick M, Koopman C, Gore-Felton C, Thoresen C, Krumboltz J, Spiegel D. Relationship of functional quality of life to strategies for coping with the stress of living with HIV/AIDS. Psychosomatics. 2003;44(1):51–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Ubbiali A, Donati D, Chiorri C, et al. The usefulness of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Form C (MHLC-C) for HIV+ subjects: an Italian study. AIDS Care. 2008;20(4):495–502.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Preau M, Vincent E, Spire B, et al. Health-related quality of life and health locus of control beliefs among HIV-infected treated patients. J Psychosom Res. 2005;59(6):407–13.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Simoni JM, Ng MT. Abuse, health locus of control, and perceived health among HIV-positive women. Health Psychol. 2002;21(1):89–93.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Uphold CR, Holmes W, Reid K, Findley K, Parada JP. Healthy lifestyles and health-related quality of life among men living with HIV infection. J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care. 2007;18(6):54–66.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Ball J, Tannenbaum L, Armistead L, Maguen S. Coping and HIV infection in African-American women. Women Health. 2002;35(1):17–36.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Heckman TG, Carlson B. A randomized clinical trial of two telephone-delivered, mental health interventions for HIV-infected persons in rural areas of the United States. AIDS Behav. 2007;11(1):5–14.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Moneyham L. A telephone intervention for rural women with HIV. National Institute of Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health, grant # RO1 NR 04956. 2003.

  46. Murdaugh C, Walther S. Development of a scale to measure symptom frequency and distress in persons with HIV/AIDS. 1995. Unpublished Manuscript.

  47. Sowell RL, Lowenstein A, Moneyham L, Demi A, Mizuno Y, Seals BF. Resources, stigma, and patterns of disclosure in rural women with HIV infection. Public Health Nurs. 1997;14(5):302–12.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Radloff LS. The CES-D scale: a self-report depression scale for research in the general population. Appl Psychol Meas. 1977;1:385–401.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Moneyham L, Demi A, Mizuno Y, Sowell RL, Seals B, Guillory J. Development and testing of a contextually and culturally relevant measure of coping for use with women infected with HIV. OMEGA: J Death Dying. 1997–98; 35(4):359–74.

  50. Sherbourne CD, Stewart AL. The MOS social support survey. Soc Sci Med. 1991;32(6):705–14.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Walker SN, Sechrist KR, Pender NJ. The Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile: development and psychometric characteristics. Nurs Res. 1987;36(2):76–81.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Murdaugh C, Moneyham L, Jackson K, Phillips K, Tavakoli A. Predictors of quality of life in HIV-infected rural women: psychometric test of the chronic illness quality of life ladder. Qual Life Res. 2006;15(5):777–89.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. SAS. Statistical Analysis Software 9.2 ed. Cary, NC: SAS Institute Inc. 1984.

Download references

Acknowledgments

The parent study was supported by funding from the National Institute of Nursing Research, the National Institutes of Health, grant number R01 NR 04956. The authors are thankful to Ms. Gene Meding for proof-reading the final draft of the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. South Carolina Rural Health Research Center, Department of Health Services Policy and Management, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 220 Stoneridge Drive, Suite 204, Columbia, SC, 29210, USA

    Medha Vyavaharkar

  2. University of Alabama School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA

    Linda Moneyham

  3. College of Nursing, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA

    Carolyn Murdaugh

  4. College of Nursing, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA

    Abbas Tavakoli

Authors
  1. Medha Vyavaharkar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Linda Moneyham
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Carolyn Murdaugh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Abbas Tavakoli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Medha Vyavaharkar.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Vyavaharkar, M., Moneyham, L., Murdaugh, C. et al. Factors Associated with Quality of Life Among Rural Women with HIV Disease. AIDS Behav 16, 295–303 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-011-9917-y

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-011-9917-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation