HIV-related stigma and health-related quality of life among children living with HIV in Sweden. Issue 5 (3rd May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rydström, Lise-Lott; Wiklander, Maria; Navér, Lars; Ygge, Britt-Marie; Eriksson, Lars E.
• Is Part Of: AIDS care. Volume 28:Issue 5(2016)
• Page Start: 665
• Page End: 671
• Publication Date: 2016-05-03
• Subjects: Children -- HIV -- stigma -- health-related quality of life; AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; AIDS (Disease) -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; AIDS (Disease) -- Patients -- Care -- Periodicals; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; 362.1969792
• DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2015.1120267
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0954-0121

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The relationship between HIV-related stigma and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among children living with HIV infection is unknown. The objectives of this study were to describe HIV-related stigma and HRQoL among children with perinatal HIV living in Sweden, and to investigate the relationship between these two factors in the same infection group. In a cross-sectional nationwide survey, HIV-related stigma was measured with the 8-item HIV Stigma Scale for Children. HRQoL was measured with the 37-item DISABKIDS Chronic Generic Module. Structural equation modeling was used to explore the relationship between HIV-related stigma and HRQoL. Fifty-eight children participated, age 9–18 years (mean = 13.9). The HIV stigma general scale showed a mean score of 17.6 (SD = 5.0; possible range 8–32). DISABKIDS Chronic Generic Module general scale showed a mean score of 80.7 (SD = 14.1; possible range 0–100). HIV-related stigma was negatively associated with HRQoL (standardized β = −0.790, p = .017). The results indicate that children's concerns related to disclosure of their HIV infection seem to be common (i.e. 75% agreed) which, together with the negative association between ratings of HIV-relatively stigma and HRQoL, might indicate that disclosure concerns would be a relevant target for interventions to decrease HIV-related stigma and increase HRQoL.