Non-Therapeutic Protocol

HIVBI: Describing Body Image in Youth with HIV

Type of Protocol/Clinical Study

HIV Studies : HIV

Description

Improving treatment options for HIV/AIDS has transformed the disease from a terminal illness to a chronic condition. As youth are living longer with HIV/AIDS, clinicians and researchers are beginning to examine ways in which the disease can affect one’s physical, mental health, and other psychosocial factors. Research emerging in the adult HIV/AIDS infected population has suggested that increased attention to and negative views of one’s body image may be found at a higher rate in this group. To our knowledge, very few studies have examined this relationship in an adolescent HIV infected population.

The purpose of this exploratory study is to characterize body image perceptions among youth with perinatally and behaviorally acquired HIV. Adolescents will be asked to complete an audio computer assisted self-interview (ACASI) questionnaire that will assess body image, medication adherence, depressive symptoms, medical, and other sociodemographic variables which may relate to adolescents with HIV. Information regarding the adolescents’ medical history, medications, and physical functioning also will be abstracted from his or her medical record.

Objectives

• To describe body image perceptions among youth with HIV.
• To examine the relationship between body image and other factors, including medication adherence, depressive symptoms, and health behaviors (weight gain/loss, reproductive decision making), demographic factors, and social/environmental factors (e.g., risky sexual behaviors).
• To examine possible differences between body image and related covariates in youth with perinatally acquired versus behaviorally acquired HIV.

Eligibility

• Participant has been diagnosed with HIV as documented by the medical record through either perinatal or behavioral transmission.
• Participant is ≥ 16.0 years old and < 24.0 years old.
• Participant is willing to participate and/or parent/legal guardian permission with assent.
• Participant is aware of his or her HIV diagnosis.
• Participant’s primary language is English.
• Participant does not have a documented diagnosis of mental retardation or a significant motor or sensory impairment that would preclude participation in the study survey.
• Participant has no known acute psychiatric illness, including suicidal ideation, homicidal ideation or active psychosis.
• For Female participants: Adolescent is not pregnant.

Principal Investigator

Megan Wilkins PhD

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