title: Associated factors of self-reported psychopathology and health related quality of life among men who have sex with men (MSM) with HIV/AIDS in Dalian, China: a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite the availability of Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART), the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (HIVMSM) in China remains poor. This study aimed to explore the relationship between self-reported psychopathology and HRQoL among HIVMSM in Dalian, China.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted in 112 HIVMSM. Symptom check list 90 (SCL 90): a measure of psychopathology and World Health Organization quality of life in HIV infection (WHOQOL-HIV-Bref): a measure of HRQoL were used. Correlation and multiple regression analysis were employed to explore the association between self-reported psychopathology and HRQoL in HIVMSM.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of the total 112 HIVMSM cases, 9 (8 %) cases were homosexuals and 103 (92 %) ones were bisexuals. The participants who had low family income (P = 0.001), perceived discrimination (P = 0.001) and lack of regular attendance in medical follow-ups (P = 0.014) reported poorer HRQoL than their counterparts. Somatization, obsession, depression, phobia and overall SCL 90 scores in self-reported psycholpathology had a negative impact on the domains of HRQoL among HIVMSM.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Total quality of life was predicted by family income, perceived discrimination, and medical follow-up attendance. Self-reported psychopathology was negatively correlated with HRQoL in HIVMSM. The Strategies that target MSM focusing on linking and engaging HIV-positive patients in medical care is the key step to improve their HRQoL. More emphasis is needed on the newly diagnosed HIVMSM in Dalian in order to develop a more targeted intervention to prevent perceived discrimination and lack of proper medical follow-up services.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The trial registration number does not require for this manuscript. The study is cross-sectional design that do not involve intervention at all, it is not a clinical trial.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, 116044, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Tesfaldet Habtemariam
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Hidru
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, 116044, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, 116044, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Sainyugu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lolokote
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, 116044, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, 116044, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of HIV/AIDS, Dalian Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Dalian, 116023, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tong
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, 116044, People's Republic of China. lxf_chen@163.com.
authors.forename: Xiao-Feng
authors.initials: XF
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000523:psychology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002681:China; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011599:Psychopathology; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D057566:Self Report; D012924:Social Conditions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D063508:Social Discrimination / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: HIV/AIDS; Health related quality of life; Men who have sex with men; Mental health; Psychopathology