Examining the Relationship Between Physical and Mental Comorbidities and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Serostatus in Black Women Restricted; Files Only
Taiwo, Phoebe (Spring 2024)
Abstract
Background: Black women are disproportionately affected by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) as compared to women of other races/ethnicities. People with HIV (PWH) are more likely to have Serious Mental Illnesses compared to the general public. Socioeconomic factors and physical comorbidities can also negatively affect PWH. The objective of this study was to compare the mental health outcomes in Black women with and without HIV, and to examine if there is any correlation between mental illness and physical comorbidities in these two samples. Methods: This study is a retrospective analysis of 81 Black women with HIV and 43 (“at-risk”) Black women without HIV who are participants of the SCORE-BBH study. Chi-square tests and t-tests were used to assess the differences in the demographics, socioeconomic factors, physical comorbidities, and mental illnesses between the two serostatus groups. We used Pearson correlations and unadjusted logistic regressions to examine associations between the mental illness and physical comorbidities variables. Logistic regression models were fit to examine associations between mental illness variables, adjusting for the sociodemographic covariates (age, income, education, and marriage status). Results: The seronegative women had on average, higher scores for depression, PTSD, and anxiety. There was a statistically significant correlation between all the mental illnesses in the seropositive samples, which remained after adjusting for socioeconomic status. The seronegative participants had a correlation between anxiety and PTSD, and depression and anxiety, no correlation between PTSD and depression. However, after adjusting for socioeconomic status, the associations were no longer significant. There was also a significant association between anxiety and diabetes, when adjusting for socioeconomic status in the seropositive sample. Conclusion: This study provides limited evidence of associations between depression, anxiety, PTSD, and some physical comorbidities in Black women with HIV.
Table of Contents
Chapter #1: Literature Review & Introduction
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
Mental Illness
HIV & Mental Health
HIV & Physical Health/Comorbidities
Applications in Society
Research Objectives
Research Questions & Hypothesis:
Chapter #2: Methods
Study Design
BBH Study Procedures
Current Analysis
Methods
Chapter #3: Results
Results of Statistical Analysis
Results of Correlation Analysis Between Mental Illness Variables
Results of Adjusted Logistic Regression Models (Mental Illness)
Results of Unadjusted Logistic Regression Models (Physical Health by Mental Illness)
Results of Adjusted Logistic Regression Models (Physical Health by Mental Illness)
Chapter #4 – Discussion & Conclusion
Key Findings
Limitations
Implications
Future Directions
Supplementary Tables
Bibliography
About this Honors Thesis
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