Care, well-being, and quality of life of people living with HIV and AIDS
Poster Sessions
Antoinette Spector, DPT
Graduate Student Researcher
Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Antoinette Spector, DPT
Graduate Student Researcher
Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Katherine Quinn, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Medical College of Wisconsin
Julia Dickson-Gomez, PhD
Professor
Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Abstract Format : Permanent supportive housing (PSH) is an effective intervention to improve the health outcomes of chronically homeless PLWH, but research has primarily examined its impact on ART adherence, CD4 counts, and viral suppression. However, little is known about the HRQoL of PLWH in supportive housing, and the factors that influence it.
Methods : Supportive housing residents (n=888) in Chicago, IL were recruited to complete surveys that included: demographics, HRQoL, mental health, housing and homelessness history, social support, HIV status and medical care. Chi-square analyses were run to determine the relationship between HRQoL and socio-demographic characteristics, mental health, ART adherence, housing type and housing satisfaction in residents who reported being HIV-positive. Factors that were significant in bivariate analyses were included in a logistic regression model with suboptimal HRQoL (fair or poor) as the outcome of interest.
Results : The sample included 165 HIV-positive PSH residents who were predominantly non-Hispanic Black (82%), male (76%), and had a mean age of 49. Overall, 68% reported their HRQoL between “good” and “excellent”, and 70% reported being satisfied with their housing. HRQoL was significantly associated with age, educational attainment, PSH service type, anxiety symptoms, access to professional support and feeling safe at home. (p<0.05) In regression analyses, receiving intensive case management services, more anxiety symptoms in the past two weeks, and not graduating from high school remained significant predictors of suboptimal HRQoL. (p<0.05)
Conclusions : PLWH who are permanently housed have generally good HRQoL and are satisfied with their housing. Suboptimal HRQoL was associated with low educational levels, more anxiety symptoms in the past two weeks, and receiving intensive case management services.