Symptom prevalence, burden and correlates among people living with HIV in Vietnam: a two-centre self-report study

Abstract

Physical and psychological symptoms among people living with HIV (PLWH) adversely affect quality of life and treatment adherence. Study objectives were: (i) to determine validity and reliability of a Vietnamese translation of the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale-Short Form (MSAS-SF) among PLWH in Vietnam; (ii) to measure prevalence and burden of physical and psychological symptoms using the MSAS-SF including the Global Distress Index (GDI), Physical Distress subscale (PHYS), and Psychological Distress subscale (PSY); (iii) to identify symptom burden risk factors. We recruited 567 patients. Cronbach's alpha scores were: total MSAS-SF 0.91, GDI 0.83, PHYS 0.85, PSYCH 0.81. The scale showed good discriminant validity (low vs high function) (p < 0.001). The mean number of symptoms was 7.66, and the most prevalent were "worrying" (41.6%), "lack of energy" (40.6%), "feeling irritable" (40.4%), and "feeling sad" (39.2%). Monthly income below the poverty line was independently associated with increased: GDI,, PHYS, and PSY and a greater number of symptoms. The Vietnamese version of the MSAS-SF is valid to measure symptom prevalence and burden in HIV-positive populations. Here is a high symptom prevalence and burden among PLWH in Vietnam, especially those living in poverty, and a great need for palliative care integrated with HIV treatment.

Opioid Therapy for Cancer Pain in Vietnam: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceived Barriers Among Health Care Professionals, Policymakers, and Regulators

“…Pain is a common and distressing symptom among patients with cancer and patients with HIV/AIDS in Vietnam but remains poorly controlled. [1][2][3] Palliative care (PC) is an ethically necessary response to suffering associated with serious illness and a crucial component of health care systems. 4 In Vietnam, a survey conducted in 2004 in a tertiary cancer treatment center in Hanoi showed that approximately 50% of patients experienced moderate to severe pain, but only 1% experienced total relief from analgesic therapy, and 40% received partial relief.…”

Unraveling the central and bridge psychological symptoms of people living with HIV: A network analysis

“…Levy et al ( 8 ) examined the associations between psychosocial risk factors and subclinical atherosclerosis among women living with HIV and among HIV-negative women and concluded that psychological symptoms could increase the risk of atherosclerosis in women living with HIV. PLWH living in poor areas also have a higher number of mental disorders or psychological symptoms because they tend to have less access to health care services ( 9 , 10 ).…”