Distress, sleep difficulty, and fatigue in women co-infected with HIV and HPV

Behav Sleep Med. 2009;7(3):180-93. doi: 10.1080/15402000902976721.

Abstract

Women with HIV infection report elevated and persisting psychosocial distress, sleep difficulty, and fatigue. The objective of this study was to examine psychosocial distress, sleep difficulty, and fatigue in a group of lower socioeconomic status women co-infected with HIV and HPV (N = 60). After controlling for relevant health behavioral and medical variables, multiple regression analyses indicated that greater psychosocial distress was associated with greater fatigue (p < .01), as well as greater sleep difficulty (p < .01). Sleep difficulty partially mediated the relationship between distress and fatigue (Sobel test, z = 2.39, p = .02). Stress management and sleep-based cognitive behavioral intervention approaches may be useful for treating fatigue in these women, possibly through reductions in psychosocial distress and improvements in sleep quality.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Fatigue / complications*
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Statistical
  • Papillomavirus Infections / complications*
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / complications*
  • Stress, Psychological / complications*