Open AccessA Multi-Dimensional Characterization of Aging and Wellbeing Among HIV-Positive Adults in Malawi
Author(s) -
Corrina Moucheraud,
Jenna Paul-Schultz,
Misheck Mphande,
Ben Allan Banda,
Hitler Sigauke,
Verwoed Kumwenda,
Kathryn Dovel,
Risa M. Hoffman
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
aids and behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.994
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1573-3254
pISSN - 1090-7165
DOI - 10.1007/s10461-020-03020-y
Subject(s) - health psychology , public health , depression (economics) , gerontology , psychological intervention , demography , medicine , population , depressive symptoms , psychology , cross sectional study , cognition , clinical psychology , psychiatry , environmental health , nursing , pathology , sociology , economics , macroeconomics
There is relatively little research on aging with HIV and wellbeing in sub-Saharan Africa. A cross-sectional survey was implemented in Malawi; eligible respondents were ≥ 30 years old and on ART for ≥ 2 years. Univariate and multiple regression analyses were stratified by age (younger adults: aged 30-49; older adults: aged ≥ 50) and gender. The median age was 51 years (total sample n = 134). Viral suppression was less common among older respondents (83.7% versus 93.0% among younger respondents) although not significant in adjusted models. Despite exhibiting worse physical and cognitive functioning (any physical functioning challenge: aOR 5.35, p = 0.02; cognitive functioning score difference: - 0.89 points, p = 0.04), older adults reported less interpersonal violence and fewer depressive symptoms (mild depression: aOR 0.23 p = 0.002; major depression: aOR 0.16, p = 0.004); in gender-stratified models, these relationships were significant only for females. More research is needed to disentangle the interplay between aging, gender and HIV in high-burden contexts and develop interventions to support comprehensive wellbeing in this population.