The symptom experience of people living with HIV/AIDS in Southern Africa

Abstract

This study describes the symptom experience of 743 men and women living with HIV/AIDS in Botswana, Lesotho, South Africa, and Swaziland. Data were obtained in 2002 by using a cross-sectional design. A survey of participants included 17 sociodemographic items and the 64-item Revised Sign and Symptom Checklist for Persons with HIV Disease. Results indicate a strong correlation between the frequency of reported symptoms and their intensity (r .84, p .00). Participants who reported having enough money for daily expenses also reported significantly fewer symptoms. There were no significant differences in symptom frequency between men and women or by location of residence. The study showed a complex picture of HIV-related symptoms in all four countries. Because of the high levels of symptoms reported, the results imply an urgent need for effective home- and community-based symptom management in countries where antiretroviral therapy is unavailable to help patients and their families manage and control AIDS symptoms and improve quality of life.