Keywords

abuse, African American, Black, cognitive function, HIV, mood disorders, substance use, women with HIV

 

Authors

  1. Njie-Carr, Veronica P. S. PhD, RN, ACNS-BC

Abstract

Abstract: Increased life expectancy of people with HIV has health implications including the intersection of the long-term use of antiretroviral treatment, inflammatory events, and age-related immunosenescence. In a cross-sectional study utilizing using the Socio-Eecological Model, we identified pathways of cognitive function (CF) among 448 women with HIV, 50 years and older. A structural equation model showed the direct effects of mood ([beta] = -0.25, p < .01), comorbidities ([beta] = --0.13, p < .05), race ([beta] = --0.13, p < .05), and abuse ([beta] = 0.27, p < .001) on the latent variable CF. Substance and alcohol use, depressive symptoms, cigarette smoking, and the number of comorbidities are important considerations when designing interventions utilizing using a multi-level and intersectional lens to maximize positive CF outcomes.