Symptom experience and functional status among HIV-infected women.

Irrespective of powerful drug therapies, there has been a slight increase in newly diagnosed cases of AIDS in women. HIV/AIDS-related symptoms develop from the illness itself, treatments or medications. Symptoms and their reoccurrence remain problematic. This study is a secondary analysis of data exploring symptoms, symptom distress and functional status in 104 ethnically diverse HIV-positive women. Measures included the Brief Symptom Inventory, a General Symptom Questionnaire, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and the Inventory of Functional Status. Findings indicate that this sample of women was distressed, at risk for depression and had a moderate level of physical functioning. These findings support the need for symptom management interventions that enhance emotional wellbeing and self-care activities for HIV-infected women.