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Studies exploring gender differences in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are scarce and contradictory. This study evaluated gender differences in HRQOL of 744 PLWHA with median (IQR) age 44 (37-48) years and HIV infection diagnosed 12 (5-20) years earlier. Results showed important differences between genders (p < .05). Better male physical health was related to being employed, not having economic worries, not receiving psychological support, not having injected drugs in past, low negative mood HIV-related, low HIV illness representation and internalized stigma, and high body image satisfaction and health behavior. For women, variables were fewer years since HIV diagnosis and low enacted stigma-personal experience of rejection. Mentally, variables in men were being employed, not having injected drugs, having a stable partner, high health behavior, use of problem-solving coping, personal autonomy and personal meaning. In women, better mental health was related to high CD4 cells, self-esteem and body image satisfaction, and negative mood HIV-related. Men and women coincided in absence of past opportunistic infections being related to better physical and mental health, and absence of side effects for physical health and low HIV-related stress and HIV illness representation for mental health. Our results highlight the need for detailed study of gender differences that identify the bio-psycho-socio inequalities that affect HRQOL.

Studies exploring gender differences in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are scarce and contradictory. This study evaluated gender differences in HRQOL of 744 PLWHA with median (IQR) age 44 (37-48) years and HIV infection diagnosed 12 (5-20) years earlier. Results showed important differences between genders (p < .05). Better male physical health was related to being employed, not having economic worries, not receiving psychological support, not having injected drugs in past, low negative mood HIV-related, low HIV illness representation and internalized stigma, and high body image satisfaction and health behavior. For women, variables were fewer years since HIV diagnosis and low enacted stigma-personal experience of rejection. Mentally, variables in men were being employed, not having injected drugs, having a stable partner, high health behavior, use of problem-solving coping, personal autonomy and personal meaning. In women, better mental health was related to high CD4 cells, self-esteem and body image satisfaction, and negative mood HIV-related. Men and women coincided in absence of past opportunistic infections being related to better physical and mental health, and absence of side effects for physical health and low HIV-related stress and HIV illness representation for mental health. Our results highlight the need for detailed study of gender differences that identify the bio-psycho-socio inequalities that affect HRQOL.

The Screenphiv, a screening measure for psychological issues related to HIV, was psychometrically tested in a study involving 744 HIV-infected people in Spain. Participants ages 18–82 (M = 43.04, 72 % men, 28 % women) completed an assessment protocol that included the Screenphiv and the MOS-HIV. A trained interviewer also collected relevant illness-related clinical data and socio-demographics from the participants. A confirmatory factor analysis was used to evaluate the goodness of fit of the Screenphiv’s theoretical model and confirmed six first-order factors and two second-order factors [RMSEA (IC 90 %) = 0.07 (0.07–0.08)]. No floor or ceiling effects were observed for the scores. Cronbach’s alphas were acceptable for all of the factors (from 0.65 to 0.92). Criterion-related validity also achieved; Screenphiv scores were related to socio-demographic and clinical variables and MOS-HIV summary scores. The Screenphiv is a reliable and valid measure, ready to use in research and clinical settings in Spain. El Screenphiv, una herramienta de cribado de indicadores psicológicos relacionados al VIH, fue evaluado psicométricamente en un estudio con 744 personas con VIH en España. Los participantes con edades entre 18 y 82 años (M = 43.04, 72 % hombres, 28 % mujeres) completaron un protocolo de evaluación que incluía el Screenphiv y el MOS-HIV. Un investigador entrenado también recogió datos clínicos y sociodemográficos. El Análisis Factorial Confirmatorio permitió evaluar la bondad de ajuste de la estructura teórica del Screenphiv y confirmó la presencia de seis factores de primer orden y dos de segundo orden [RMSEA (IC90 %) = 0.07 (0.07-0.08)]. No se observaron efectos suelo o techo en las puntuaciones del cuestionario. El alfa de Cronbach fue aceptable para todos los factores (de 0.65 a 0.92). Evidencias de validez relacionadas a criterio fueron establecidas. Las puntuaciones del Screenphiv se relacionaron con variables sociodemográficas y clínicas y con las puntuaciones sumario del MOS-HIV. El Screenphiv es una medida fiable y con evidencias de validez, que está disponible para usar en investigaciones y entornos clínicos en España. This work has been supported by a grant from FIPSE (Fundación para la Investigación y Prevención del Sida en España, Grant 36-0743/09)

This study aims to develop an instrument for the assessment of psychological predictors of well-being and quality of life (QoL) in people living with HIV. A four- step procedure was followed to achieve this objective. A literature review, focus group in different regions of Spain and content analysis generated a preliminary pool of 96 items. Interjudgement ratings over the items and a cogni- tive debriefing interview were performed to delete or review items (one omitted and 15 reviewed). The psy- chometric properties of the instrument were assessed in a sample of 84 HIV ? . Pilot testing allowed a new wave of depuration process by empirical criteria (30 items omitted). A final pool of 63 items covering 23 facets ( a from 0.53 to 0.95) of psychological predictors remained. Exploratory factorial analysis (GLS) assessing the underlying structure of the questionnaire showed a six-factor model explaining 56.5 of variance. Empirical exploratory structure revealed evidence of goodness of fit ( v 2 = 113.110, gl = 130, p [ 0.05; RMSEA = 0.017; RMSEA IC90 % 0.000– 0.057). This study presents the first instrument able to screen key psychological variables expected to be related to adjustment, well-being and QoL in people with HIV.