Urban and Insular Study on Treatment Experiences and Stigma in People Living with HIV

This outcome measures the levels of HIV-related stigma experienced by individuals living with HIV (PLWH) in urban and island settings in Portugal. Stigma is assessed using a validated HIV Stigma Scale, which evaluates perceived and internalized stigma (range: 0-48, where higher scores indicate greater perceived stigma). The results will be compared between the two geographic cohorts to identify differences in stigma experiences.

This outcome measures the prevalence of depression and anxiety among individuals living with HIV in urban and island settings. Depression is assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9 ; range: 0-27, where higher scores indicate more severe depression), and anxiety is assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale (GAD-7; range: 0-21, where higher scores indicate more severe anxiety). Results will be compared between the two cohorts to identify differences in mental health outcomes.

This outcome evaluates the association between HIV-related stigma (measured using the HIV Stigma Scale; range: 0-48, where higher scores indicate greater stigma) and mental health indicators (depression measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, PHQ-9; range: 0-27, where higher scores indicate more severe depression; and anxiety measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, GAD-7; range: 0-21, where higher scores indicate more severe anxiety). The goal is to determine whether higher levels of stigma are associated with worse mental health outcomes, adjusting for potential confounding variables such as age, gender, and duration of HIV treatment. Statistical analysis will include multiple linear regression models to assess these associations. The regression models will estimate the strength and direction of the associations, controlling for covariates.

This outcome evaluates the association between the number of daily pills (pill burden) for HIV treatment and its impact on mental health (depression measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, PHQ-9; range: 0-27, where higher scores indicate more severe depression; and anxiety measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, GAD-7; range: 0-21, where higher scores indicate more severe anxiety). The goal is to determine whether a higher pill burden is associated with worse mental health outcomes, adjusting for potential confounding variables such as age, gender, and duration of HIV treatment. Statistical analysis will include multiple linear regression models to assess these associations. The regression models will estimate the strength and direction of the associations, controlling for covariates.

This outcome evaluates the association between satisfaction with HIV treatment (measured using the HIV Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire, HIVTSQ; range: 0-60, where higher scores indicate greater satisfaction) and indicators of stigma (HIV Stigma Scale; range: 0-48, where higher scores indicate greater stigma) and mental health (depression measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, PHQ-9; range: 0-27, where higher scores indicate more severe depression; and anxiety measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, GAD-7; range: 0-21, where higher scores indicate more severe anxiety). The goal is to determine whether higher treatment satisfaction is associated with lower levels of stigma and better mental health outcomes, adjusting for potential confounding variables such as age, gender, and duration of HIV treatment. Statistical analysis will include multiple linear regression models to assess these associations.

This outcome evaluates the level of knowledge about HIV using the HIV Knowledge Questionnaire-18 (HIV-KQ-18; range: 0-18, where higher scores indicate greater knowledge). The objective is to compare HIV knowledge levels between two regions and identify potential gaps. The analysis will consider key sociodemographic factors such as age, gender and education level. Statistical methods will include independent t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests for regional comparisons, and multiple linear regression models to examine the association between knowledge scores and sociodemographic variables, adjusting for potential confounders.