Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
5870198 | Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care | 2015 | 12 Pages |
Abstract
As with cancer survivors, HIV-infected people may have unique physical, psychological, social, and existential challenges over their lifespans, yet no single instrument can assess such challenges. A newly created Impact of HIV Survey, modified from Zebrack's Impact of Cancer Scale, was developed and completed by 356 HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy. Factor analyses confirmed seven scales within 38 items: Health Awareness, Positive Self-Evaluation, Positive Outlook, Value of Relationships, Negative Self-Evaluation-Outlook, Health Anxiety, and Body Changes (Cronbach's alphas range = 0.54-0.93). Participants scored high on health awareness, positive outlook, and value of relationships; high on health worry; and low on body image concerns. Patients with HIV for 15 years and longer tended to have higher positive self-evaluation scores and lower negative self-evaluation-outlook scores compared to those with HIV for a shorter duration. The initial survey version had good internal validity with potential utility in research and clinical care.
Related Topics
Health Sciences
Medicine and Dentistry
Infectious Diseases
Authors
April L. MD, MPH, Michael A. PhD, MPH, Maria E. MD, PhD, Thomas P. MD, MPH,