Stigma, Social Support and Quality of Life (4826)

"Perceived Stigma and Social Support: Relationship and Influence on Mental Health and Quality of Life in HIV+ Patients"

The primary goal of this observational study is to investigate the relationship between perceived stigma and social support in HIV+ patients. The secondary objective is to measure mental health indicators (depression, anxiety, and stress) and quality of life to assess whether they are affected by the relationship between perceived stigma and social support.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Measuring perceived stigma and social support to understand the health status and behaviour of people living with HIV.
• Monitor the mental state of people living with HIV in order to be able to implement, there where necessary, a psychological support strategy in order to promote proper adherence to treatment and care services.

Participants will fill out an online cross-sectional survey. The online questionnairesurvey will collect:

• sociodemographic and clinical data related to HIV infection,
• perceived stigma,
• social support,
• mental health,
• quality of life.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: HIV Infections
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Survey

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 96

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Italy
  • Roma, Italy, 00168
    • Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

We expect the majority of the HIV patient population to be male, between the ages of 40 and 65 and with a high school diploma. We expect a virologically suppressed HIV population with good adherence to antiretroviral therapy. We expect a high level of perceived stigma and low quality of life and high symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• HIV diagnosis.
• Being treated at the Infectious Diseases Outpatient Clinic of Policlinico Gemelli in Rome.
• Ongoing antiretroviral therapy.
• Age > 18 years.
• Native Italian speaker.
• Informed consent to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Absence of an HIV diagnosis.
• Not being treated at the Infectious Diseases Outpatient Clinic of Policlinico Gemelli in Rome.
• Absence of ongoing antiretroviral therapy.
• Age > 18 years.
• Not being a native Italian speaker.
• Refusal to sign informed consent

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Perceived stigma in HIV+ patients	Perceived stigma in HIV+ patients will be assess through the following test: the 12-item short version of the HIV stigma scale. The test consists of four subscales: personalized stigma, concerns about disclosure of one's HIV status, concerns about the attitudes of others and negative self-image.	1 year

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Influence of social support on perceived stigma	HIV+ patients' perceived social support will be examined through the use of 6 statements (1. "If you are sick, you have someone to rely on physically for example as help with household chores or as company during doctor's visits"; 2. "You have someone who can look after your home if you are away"; 3. "If you wanted to go on a trip, you would have someone to share the experience with"; 4. "You have someone who accepts you with your strengths and faults"; 4. "You have someone who loves you and gives you affection"; 6. "If you have emotional difficulties, you have someone who listens to you and gives you support and advice").	1 year
Influence of mental health on perceived stigma	Mental health will be investigated using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) 21, a self-assessment instrument containing 21 useful items to investigate three constructs: depression, anxiety and stress. Each construct constitutes a specific subscale, consisting of 7 items. Each item corresponds to a statement, referring to the past week.	1 year
Influence of quality of life on perceived stigma	Quality of life will be investigated using the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12). The SF-12 investigates quality of life with 12 items: 6 items are concerned with physical health (physical functioning, physical plane limitations, physical pain, general health) and 6 items are concerned with mental health (emotional plane limitations, fatigue or lack of energy, social functioning, emotional well-being).	1 year

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): April 10, 2022
• Primary Completion (Actual): June 15, 2022
• Study Completion (Actual): June 15, 2022

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 30, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 10, 2023
• First Posted (Actual): March 23, 2023

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 23, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 10, 2023
• Last Verified: January 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: SPESS

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No