Relationship of symptoms, perceived health, and stigma with quality of life among urban HIV-infected African American men.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the relationship of symptom prevalence and intensity, perceptions of health, and stigma on quality of life (QOL) among HIV-infected African American men.


METHODS
Cross-sectional correlational descriptive study.


METHODS
The sample consisted of HIV-infected African American men (N=55), all urban, age range 23-66 years (M=48.84, SD=7.67), average length of time since HIV diagnosis 10.79 years (SD=6.4).


METHODS
A questionnaire consisting of 5 instruments was used: (a) sociodemographic characteristics, (b) Holzemer Signs and Symptom Checklist for HIV, (c) perceptions of health, (d) Berger HIV Stigma Scale, and (e) Holmes HIV/AIDS-Targeted Quality of Life Scale.


RESULTS
Prevalent symptoms were fatigue (98%), fear (92.7%), shortness of breath (92.7%), gastrointestinal upset (85.5%), numbness (80.0%), and headache (76.4%). Symptoms with the highest intensity were gastrointestinal upset, body changes, fear, and fatigue. Symptom intensity was significantly associated with the measures of stigma and QOL.


CONCLUSIONS
The results underscore the importance of incorporating a holistic view of the relationship of symptoms with QOL for HIV-infected African American men. Without efforts to ameliorate stigmatizing effects, however, nurses may be falling short in helping individual African American men with HIV infection achieve a better QOL.
Buseh
Aaron G
AG
College of Nursing, Milwaukee, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA. aaronbg@uwm.edu
Kelber
Sheryl T
ST
Stevens
Patricia E
PE
Park
Chang Gi
CG
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000208:ethnology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology; D005239:Fear; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015146:Midwestern United States; D011287:Prejudice; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D013240:Stereotyping; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014504:Urban Health