scholarly journals Factors associated with mental health symptoms in women living with HIV in Southern India: An exploratory study

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 84-93
Author(s):  
Sauer Kendall ◽  
Welton Mitchell Courtney ◽  
Anderson Sara ◽  
M Samuel N
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Verlin Joseph ◽  
Abenaa Jones ◽  
Shantrel Canidate ◽  
Zachary Mannes ◽  
Huiyin Lu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background People living with HIV (PLWH) are more likely to suffer from pain compared to the general public. Pain often clusters with mental health symptoms and substance use. This study sought to evaluate mental health and substance use factors associated with and pain and severe pain intensities among PLWH. Methods Data were derived from HIV+ adults (N=733) recruited from community health centers across Florida who completed questionnaires regarding demographics, chronic pain, HIV clinical outcomes, mental health symptoms, and substance use information. Pain was assessed using the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) short form. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was utilized to assess the relationship between selected covariates and pain. Results Approximately half (45.0%) of participants reported having current pain. After controlling for covariates, PLWH reporting current symptoms of anxiety or PTSD were 2.49 (CI=1.48, 4.18) and 1.69 (CI= 1.11, 2.57) times as likely to report pain compared to PLWH without those factors respectively. PLWH reporting current symptoms of anxiety and male participants were 2.03 (CI= 1.03, 4.01) and 2.02 (CI= 1.26, 3.24) times as likely to report severe pain compared to PLWH without those factors respectively. Conclusion The relationship between pain and mental health is complex, thus future research is needed to determine if pain treatments may reduce mental health symptoms or if treatments can be targeted to address both issues simultaneously


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Verlin Joseph ◽  
Abenaa Jones ◽  
Shantrel Canidate ◽  
Zachary Mannes ◽  
Huiyin Lu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: People living with HIV (PLHIV) are more likely to suffer from pain compared to the general public. Pain often clusters with mental health symptoms and substance use. This study sought to evaluate mental health and substance use factors associated with any pain and severe pain intensities among PLHIV. Methods: Data were derived from HIV+ adults (N=733) recruited from community health centers across Florida who completed questionnaires regarding demographics, chronic pain, HIV clinical outcomes, mental health symptoms, and substance use information. Pain was assessed using the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) short form. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was utilized to assess the relationship between selected covariates and pain. Results: Approximately half (45.0%) of participants reported having any current pain while 16.1% reported severe pain. The odds of having any current pain were 2.49 (CI 95% 1.48, 4.18, p<0.01) times greater among PLHIV reporting anxiety and 1.69 (CI 95% 1.11, 2.57, p=0.01) times greater among PLHIV reporting PTSD compared to those without those factors. The odds of having severe pain were 2.03 (CI 95% 1.03, 4.01, p=0.04) times greater among PLHIV reporting anxiety and 2.02 (CI 95% 1.26, 3.24, p<0.01) times greater among female participants compared to PLHIV without those factors respectively. Factors including depression, alcohol consumption, and marijuana use were not statistically associated with any current pain nor with severe pain.Conclusion: The relationship between pain and mental health is complex. Thus, future research is needed to determine if pain treatments may reduce mental health symptoms or if treatments can be targeted to address both issues simultaneously.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Verlin Joseph ◽  
Abenaa Jones ◽  
Shantrel Canidate ◽  
Zachary Mannes ◽  
Huiyin Lu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background People living with HIV (PLHIV) are more likely to suffer from pain compared to the general public. Pain often clusters with mental health symptoms and substance use. This study sought to evaluate mental health and substance use factors associated with any pain and severe pain intensities among PLHIV. Methods Data were derived from HIV+ adults (N = 733) recruited from community health centers across Florida who completed questionnaires regarding demographics, chronic pain, HIV clinical outcomes, mental health symptoms, and substance use information. Pain was assessed using the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) short form. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was utilized to assess the relationship between selected covariates and pain. Results Approximately half (45.0%) of participants reported having any current pain while 16.1% reported severe pain. The odds of having any current pain were 2.49 (CI 95% 1.48, 4.18, p <  0.01) times greater among PLHIV reporting anxiety and 1.69 (CI 95% 1.11, 2.57, p = 0.01) times greater among PLHIV reporting PTSD compared to those without those factors. The odds of having severe pain were 2.03 (CI 95% 1.03, 4.01, p = 0.04) times greater among PLHIV reporting anxiety and 2.02 (CI 95% 1.26, 3.24, p <  0.01) times greater among female participants compared to PLHIV without those factors respectively. Factors including depression, alcohol consumption, and marijuana use were not statistically associated with any current pain nor with severe pain. Conclusion The relationship between pain and mental health is complex. Thus, future research is needed to determine if pain treatments may reduce mental health symptoms or if treatments can be targeted to address both issues simultaneously.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Verlin Joseph ◽  
Abenaa Jones ◽  
Shantrel Canidate ◽  
Zachary Mannes ◽  
Huiyin Lu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: People living with HIV (PLHIV) are more likely to suffer from pain compared to the general public. Pain often clusters with mental health symptoms and substance use. This study sought to evaluate mental health and substance use factors associated with any pain and severe pain intensities among PLHIV. Methods: Data were derived from HIV+ adults (N=733) recruited from community health centers across Florida who completed questionnaires regarding demographics, chronic pain, HIV clinical outcomes, mental health symptoms, and substance use information. Pain was assessed using the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) short form. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was utilized to assess the relationship between selected covariates and pain. Results: Approximately half (45.0%) of participants reported having any current pain while 16.1% reported severe pain. The odds of having any current pain were 2.49 (CI 95% 1.48, 4.18, p<0.01) times greater among PLHIV reporting anxiety and 1.69 (CI 95% 1.11, 2.57, p=0.01) times greater among PLHIV reporting PTSD compared to those without those factors. The odds of having severe pain were 2.03 (CI 95% 1.03, 4.01, p=0.04) times greater among PLHIV reporting anxiety and 2.02 (CI 95% 1.26, 3.24, p<0.01) times greater among female participants compared to PLHIV without those factors respectively. Factors including depression, alcohol consumption, and marijuana use were not statistically associated with any current pain nor with severe pain.Conclusion: The relationship between pain and mental health is complex. Thus, future research is needed to determine if pain treatments may reduce mental health symptoms or if treatments can be targeted to address both issues simultaneously.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth E. Marshall ◽  
Josie Milligan-Saville ◽  
Katherine Petrie ◽  
Richard A. Bryant ◽  
Philip B. Mitchell ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Mental health screening in the workplace aims to identify employees who are becoming symptomatic, in order to provide timely support and evidence-based interventions to those affected. Given the stigma associated with mental illness, accurate disclosure of mental health symptoms cannot be assumed. The present study sought to investigate factors associated with the accurate reporting of mental health symptoms amongst police officers. Methods A total of 90 serving police officers completed identical mental health screening surveys, one administered by the employer and the other anonymously by an independent organisation. Responses were then linked to compare differences in the number and severity of mental health symptoms reported on each questionnaire. Results Comparisons of matched self-report scores indicated that employees under-reported symptoms of mental health disorders when completing screening administered by their employer, with only 76.3% of symptoms declared. Under-reporting occurred regardless of gender and symptom type. Less senior staff (p = 0.05) and those with the most severe post-traumatic stress disorder and common mental disorder symptoms (p = 0.008) were significantly more likely to under-report symptoms. Conclusions Employer-administered mental health screening is not able to accurately capture all mental health symptoms amongst first responders. The fact that the severity of symptoms predicted the level of under-reporting means that simple changes to cut-off values cannot correct this problem.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Johnson

Abstract Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the financial insecurity of women and their families globally. Some studies have explored the impact of financial strain among pregnant women, in particular, during the pandemic. However, less is known about the factors associated with pregnant women’s experiences of material hardship. Methods: This study examined the factors associated with pregnant women’s experiences of material hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic using data collected from 183 pregnant womxn who participated in an online Qualtrics panel survey during January 2021. In addition to socio-demographic characteristics, individuals were asked about their finances and predictors of financial well-being, mental health symptoms, and intimate partner violence experiences. Ordinary least squares regression was used to calculate unadjusted and adjusted estimates. Study findings showed that the majority of womxn in the sample experienced at least one form of material hardship in the past year. Results: Economic self-sufficiency, financial strain, posttraumatic stress disorder, and economic abuse were all significantly associated with material hardship. Conclusions: Overall, findings are consistent with other studies that have documented the association between financial hardship and mental health symptoms among pregnant womxn during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a unique contribution of this study is that it highlights the significant, positive association between economic abuse, a unique form of intimate partner violence, and material hardship among pregnant womxn during the pandemic. These findings suggest the need for policy and practice interventions that help to ameliorate the financial insecurity experienced by some pregnant womxn, as well as respond to associated bidirectional vulnerabilities (e.g., mental health symptoms, experiences of intimate partner violence).


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheng Zhi Zhao ◽  
Tzu Tsun Luk ◽  
Yongda Wu ◽  
Xue Weng ◽  
Janet Yuen Ha Wong ◽  
...  

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increasing mental health burden. We examined the factors associated with mental health symptoms in Chinese general adults in Hong Kong.Methods: We conducted a dual-frame (landline and mobile) survey on Chinese adults aged 18 years or older in April 2020. Shortage of preventive materials, perceptions of the outbreak (each item range 1–5), and reduction in income were assessed. Mental health symptoms measured included stress (Perceived Stress Scale-4, range 0–16), anxiety (General Anxiety Disorders-2, range 0–6, cutoff &gt;2), and depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-2, range 0–6, cutoff &gt;2). Results were weighted by the general population distribution. Associations were analyzed by multivariable linear (for stress) and logistic (for anxiety and depressive symptoms) regression adjusting for sociodemographic and health-related covariates, including confirmed or in close contacts of confirmed cases, chronic disease, self-rated health, and smoking and alcohol drinking behavior.Results: Of the 1,501 participants (52.5% female, 55.0 aged 30–59 years), the average stress score was 7.20 (SD 2.12). 218 (15.8%) and 206 (14.8%) participants had anxiety and depressive symptoms, respectively. Shortage in facemasks (20.8%), alcohol-based hand sanitizers (13.9%), and cleaning products (7.3%) was reported. Participants generally disagree with the perception of at risk of getting infected in the coming 6 months (mean 2.2, SD 1.1), but tended to agree with the perception of worry that the people around pose a threat to them (mean 3.6, SD 0.9) and the outbreak has greatly affected their daily life (mean 3.7, SD 0.9). 59.3% employed participants had income reduction and 6.2% had become unemployed since the outbreak. Stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms were more prevalent in those with shortages of preventive materials and negative perceptions of the outbreak (all P &lt; 0.05). Reduction in income and unemployment were associated with more mental health symptoms (all P &lt; 0.05).Conclusions: Shortage of preventive materials, negative perceptions, financial loss, and unemployment were prevalent during the outbreak and found in association with higher stress and more anxiety and depressive symptoms. Further research and urgent actions are warranted to relieve stress and promote mental health, targeting the many risk factors identified by our study.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yulin Hswen ◽  
John A Naslund ◽  
John S Brownstein ◽  
Jared B Hawkins

BACKGROUND People with schizophrenia experience elevated risk of suicide. Mental health symptoms, including depression and anxiety, contribute to increased risk of suicide. Digital technology could support efforts to detect suicide risk and inform suicide prevention efforts. OBJECTIVE This exploratory study examined the feasibility of monitoring online discussions about suicide among Twitter users who self-identify as having schizophrenia. METHODS Posts containing the terms suicide or suicidal were collected from a sample of Twitter users who self-identify as having schizophrenia (N=203) and a random sample of control users (N=173) over a 200-day period. Frequency and timing of posts about suicide were compared between groups. The associations between posting about suicide and common mental health symptoms were examined. RESULTS Twitter users who self-identify as having schizophrenia posted more tweets about suicide (mean 7.10, SD 15.98) compared to control users (mean 1.89, SD 4.79; t374=-4.13, P<.001). Twitter users who self-identify as having schizophrenia showed greater odds of tweeting about suicide compared to control users (odds ratio 2.15, 95% CI 1.42-3.28). Among all users, tweets about suicide were associated with tweets about depression (r=0.62, P<.001) and anxiety (r=0.45, P<.001). CONCLUSIONS Twitter users who self-identify as having schizophrenia appear to commonly discuss suicide on social media, which is associated with greater discussion about other mental health symptoms. These findings should be interpreted cautiously, as it is not possible to determine whether online discussions about suicide correlate with suicide risk. However, these patterns of online discussion may be indicative of elevated risk of suicide observed in this patient group. There may be opportunities to leverage social media for supporting suicide prevention among individuals with schizophrenia.


Author(s):  
Raymond Langsi ◽  
Uchechukwu Levi Osuagwu ◽  
Piwuna Christopher Goson ◽  
Emmanuel Kwasi Abu ◽  
Khathutshelo Percy Mashige ◽  
...  

Mental health and emotional responses to the effects of COVID-19 lockdown in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are of serious public health concern and may negatively affect the mental health status of people. Hence, this study assessed the prevalence of mental health symptoms as well as emotional reactions among sub-Saharan Africans (SSAs) and associated factors among SSAs during the COVID-19 lockdown period. This was a web-based cross-sectional, a study on mental health and emotional features from 2005 respondents in seven SSA countries. This study was conducted between April 27 and May 17, 2020 corresponding to the lockdown period in most SSA countries. Respondents aged 18 years and above and the self-reported symptoms were feeling anxious, being worried, angry, bored and frustrated. These were the main outcomes and were treated as dichotomous variables. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify the factors associated with these symptoms. We found that over half (52.2%) of the participants reported any of the mental health symptoms in SSA and the prevalence of feeling bored was 70.5% followed by feeling anxious (59.1%), being worried (57.5%), frustrated (51.5%) and angry (22.3%) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Multivariate analysis revealed that males, those aged &gt;28 years, Central and Southern Africans, those who were not married, the unemployed, those living with more than six persons in a household, had higher odds of mental health and emotional symptoms. Similarly, people who perceived low risk of contracting the infection, and those who thought the pandemic would not continue after the lockdown had higher odds of mental health and emotional symptoms. Health care workers had lower odds for feeling angry than non-healthcare workers. During COVID-19 lockdown periods in SSA, about one in two participants reported mental health and emotional symptoms. Public health measures can be effectively used to identify target groups for prevention and treatment of mental health and emotional symptoms. Such interventions should be an integral component of SSA governments&rsquo; response and recovery strategies of any future pandemic.


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