DISABILITY AND FATIGUE INTENSITY IN ADOLESCENTS WITH PERINATAL HIV

N. Comley-White¹, J. Potterton¹, V. Ntsiea¹

¹University of the Witwatersrand, Physiotherapy, Johannesburg, South Africa

Background: As children with HIV are becoming older, the population of perinatally HIV infected adolescents (PHIVA) is growing, presenting unique health challenges.

Purpose: To describe the fatigue intensity and disability of a population of PHIVA.

Methods: This cross-sectional study of PHIVA and a group of age-matched HIV negative adolescents assessed participants’ level of fatigue intensity and the impact of fatigue on daily functioning with the HIV-related Fatigue Scale (HRFS). Disability across the domains of cognition, mobility, self-care, getting along, life activities and participation was assessed with the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0).

Results: A total of 249 participants were assessed, of which 59% (n=147) were PHIVA and 41% (n=102) were HIV negative. 53.4% (n=133) were male and the groups were well-matched for age (mean age 12 (SD±2) years). Clinical data for the PHIVA group showed a mean CD4% of 38.3 (SD±7.1) and the majority (87.1%; n=128) had a viral load < 200 copies/ml.
On the HRFS PHIVA showed a significantly greater fatigue intensity mean compared to the HIV-negative group [1.5(SD±0.9) vs. 1.2(SD±0.5), p=0.022]. On WHODAS 2.0 PHIVA scored significantly worse than the HIV-negative group for: total score (p=0.023), mobility (p=0.014), self-care (p=0.047) and participation (p<0.001).

Conclusions: Adolescents living with perinatal HIV face significant challenges related to fatigue and disability. This impacts on their participation within their communities and can thus influence their quality of life.

Implications: This population would benefit from comprehensive and holistic management, addressing these crucial areas of functioning. Regular screening and inter-disciplinary referral pathways should be established for this population.

Funding acknowledgements: University of the Witwatersrand Faculty Research Committee; South African Society of Physiotherapy

Keywords:
HIV
Disability
Fatigue

Topics:
Disability & rehabilitation
Paediatrics
Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing/physical activity

Did this work require ethics approval? Yes

Institution: University of the Witwatersrand

Committee: Human Research Ethics Committee (Medical)

Ethics number: M180226