Socioeconomic, Psychosocial, and Clinical Factors Associated With Employment in Women With HIV in the United States: A Correlational Study

Abstract

Employment is a social determinant of health, and women living with HIV (WLWH) are often underemployed. This correlational study examined the socioeconomic, psychosocial, and clinical factors associated with employment among WLWH (n 5 1,357) and women at risk for HIV (n 5 560). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to evaluate factors associated with employment status. Employment was associated (p # .05) with better socioeconomic status and quality of life (QOL), less tobacco and substance use, and better physical, psychological, and cognitive health. Among WLWH, employment was associated (p # .05) with improved adherence to HIV care visits and HIV RNA viral suppression. Using multivariable regression modeling, differences were found between WLWH and women at risk for HIV. Among WLWH, household income, QOL, education, and time providing childcare remained associated with employment in adjusted multivariable analyses (R 2 5 .272, p , .001). A better understanding of the psychosocial and structural factors affecting employment is needed to reduce occupational disparities among WLWH.

Effectiveness of educational intervention among seropositive women about knowledge about HIV sexual transmission

“…A correlational study with WLHIV in the United States compared a group of employed women with a group of unemployed women, and having a job was associated with better quality of life, better compliance with consultations and antiretrovirals, HIV viral suppression and less depressive symptoms, stress and anxiety (26) . As for anogenital lesions, the prevalence in this study was higher than that identified in a North American study, in which 27% of WLHIV had high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions of the anus (27) .…”

Efetividade de intervenção educativa entre mulheres soropositivas acerca do conhecimento sobre transmissão sexual do HIV

“…Um estudo correlacional com MVHIV nos Estados Unidos comparou um grupo de mulheres que tinham emprego com um grupo de mulheres desempregadas, e ter emprego foi associado com melhor qualidade de vida, melhor adesão às consultas e aos antirretrovirais, supressão viral do HIV e menos sintomatologia depressiva, estresse e ansiedade (26) . Quanto a lesões anogenitais, a prevalência neste estudo foi superior à identificada em um estudo norte-americano, em que 27% das MVHIV possuíam lesões intraepiteliais escamosas de alto grau do ânus (27) .…”

Using HIV neuropsychological classification methods to predict employment status

“…It can be argued that these factors support general health, protect against affective disorders, and thus support neuroplasticity and neurocognitive reserve [12]. In a sample of 1933 women (35% employed full or part-time) from the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS), those who were employed engaged in less alcohol, tobacco, and substance use, experienced better cognitive, psychological, and physical health, and also had higher socioeconomic status and better quality of life [3]. For the 1373 women with HIV, employment was associated with better HIV viral load suppression and improved adherence to HIV-care visits [3].…”

“…In a sample of 1933 women (35% employed full or part-time) from the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS), those who were employed engaged in less alcohol, tobacco, and substance use, experienced better cognitive, psychological, and physical health, and also had higher socioeconomic status and better quality of life [3]. For the 1373 women with HIV, employment was associated with better HIV viral load suppression and improved adherence to HIV-care visits [3]. Finally, given the relationship between cognition and employment reported here, another interpretation of this study could be that by improving cognitive functions, this may improve the ability to negotiate the environment, including the work environment.…”

“…Although the severe neuropsychological impairments are less common because of ART, more subtle neuropsychological impairments persist in 30-50% of people with HIV (PWH) [1]. Intersecting with this is the complicated work histories of PWH, with only 30% of PWH working full or part-time [2,3]. It is from this context, the study by Brouillette et al [4] presented in this issue of AIDS generates such interest.…”