Perception of stigma, resilience, satisfaction with life and quality of life of young people living with HIV/AIDS

• Grant number: 17/14114-9
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): March 01, 2018
• Effective date (End): December 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Daisy Maria Machado
• Grantee: Vicente Penido da Silveira
• Home Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: The advent of combined antiretroviral therapy has changed the natural course of HIV infection. There was a significant reduction in morbidity and mortality, but the prolongation of patients' lives brought new challenges for the health services. Currently, the focus is not only on "prolonging life," but also on "promoting the quality of life." Thus, it is perceived that there is an increasing need to know other aspects of the life of these patients. The study aims to: 1) Evaluate the individual perception of young people who acquired HIV, both vertically and transversally, with respect to psychosocial outcomes: stigma, quality of life, life satisfaction and resilience; 2) To compare these psychosocial outcomes in both groups; 3) To discuss strategies to improve the integral care of these young people. Methodology: This is an observational and cross-sectional study. The study population will be composed of 60 young men and women, with ages ranging from 18 to 24 years, 30 of them being HIV infected by vertical (Vertical Group) and 30 by horizontal (Horizontal Group). Participants are followed up at the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Center(CEADIPE) and the Center for the Control of Immunological Deficiencies (CCDI), at Escola Paulista de Medicina (Federal University of São Paulo). The young adults will be evaluated through four research instruments: 1) Sociodemographic Questionnaire; 2) Wagnild & Young Resilience Scale; 3) Life Satisfaction Scale (ESV); 4) Instrument for Assessment of Quality of Life (WHOQOLbref); 5) Stigmatization scale constructed by Berger, Ferrans, and Lashley (2001). Before starting the study, participants will be informed about the characteristics and purpose of the study, the confidentiality of the participants' identity and the questionnaires. The participants of the study will sign a Free and Informed Consent Form. Demographic, socioeconomic and laboratory characteristics will be expressed as mean and standard deviation, or number and percentage. The comparison of the results obtained in the different outcomes in the two groups (vertical and horizontal transmission) will be performed by the T-student test (continuous variables) or Chi-square (categorical variables), using the statistical program SPSS 20.0. (AU)