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Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Measuring Frailty in HIV-infected Individuals. Identification of Frail Patients is the First Step to Amelioration and Reversal of Frailty
05:53

Measuring Frailty in HIV-infected Individuals. Identification of Frail Patients is the First Step to Amelioration and Reversal of Frailty

Published on: July 24, 2013

Psychosocial issues in children and adolescents with HIV infection evaluated with a World Health Organization

Antonietta Giannattasio1, Annunziata Officioso, Grazia Isabella Continisio

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University Federico II, Naples, Italy.

Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics : JDBP
|December 17, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Psychosocial issues significantly impact the quality of life for children with HIV, even when clinically stable. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) effectively evaluates these health and social factors.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric HIV/AIDS research
  • Public health and social determinants of health
  • Rehabilitation sciences

Background:

  • Children with HIV on antiretroviral therapy are often clinically stable.
  • Psychosocial factors significantly affect their quality of life.
  • The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework offers a comprehensive model for assessing health and disability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of the ICF in describing the health status and needs of children and adolescents with HIV.
  • To assess the impact of environmental and psychosocial factors on the well-being of this population.
  • To explore the utility of the ICF in a European pediatric AIDS reference center cohort.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative analysis of structured interviews with caregivers of children and adolescents with HIV.
  • Inclusion of participants from two reference centers for pediatric AIDS.
  • Investigation of four key ICF domains: body structures/functions, environmental factors, and activity/social participation limitations.

Main Results:

  • Body structures and functions showed minimal impairment.
  • Environmental factors (poverty, unemployment, single-parent households) and psychosocial issues profoundly impacted quality of life.
  • Fear of social stigma created significant barriers to disclosing HIV status, leading to activity and social restrictions.

Conclusions:

  • Psychosocial well-being is integral to the overall health of children with HIV.
  • The ICF serves as a valuable standardized tool for assessing clinical and psychosocial status in pediatric HIV.
  • The ICF can effectively measure the impact of interventions on psychosocial functioning in children and adolescents with HIV.
Abstract

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