Status and relationship between health control and illness perception with psychosocial adjustment in HIV/AIDS-infected women

Abstract

Introduction: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is one of the major challenges and health threats worldwide. The purpose of this study was to determine a relationship between health control and perception of illness with psychosocial adjustment in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS-infected women. Material and methods: This descriptive analytical study was performed on 240 female patients in 2019 from Iranian research center for HIV/AIDS at the Tehran Imam Khomeini Hospital. Eligible individuals were included in the study, and information were collected using three questionnaires, including psychosocial adjustment to illness, health locus of control, illness perception, and a demographic checklist. Data were analyzed using SPSS 16 software. Results: According to the results of multiple linear regression test, the predictive variables determined 13.7% of criterion variables. Among the predictors, illness perception was the most positive predictor ( B = 0.220) and the number of sexual partners was the most negative predictor ( B = 0.148). In other words, by increasing a score to the illness perception, psychosocial adjustment increased to 13.9%, and with one person added to the number of sexual partners, 14.8% of psychosocial adjustment decreased. Conclusions: According to the findings, illness perception is positively associated with psychosocial adjustment of patients. Illness perception can affect motivation, which leads to health promoting behaviors. On the other hand, the increase of sexual partners number has a negative relationship with the psychosocial adjustment of patients and confirms the importance and role of spouse support in promoting health.