Physiological and Psychological Correlates of HIV Related Fatigue

Anusha Merin

Abstract: Fatigue is a frequent symptom reported by persons living with HIV disease and one that affects all aspects of quality of life. To improve quality of care of persons with HIV disease, it is important to address all factors that contribute to fatigue. This study intended to determine the relationship between fatigue and selected physiological & psychological variables among HIV positive patients at NGO HIV care centre, Madurai. A survey approach was used for this study. The design adopted for the study was descriptive correlational research design. Purposive sampling technique was adopted for this study. The sample consisted of 100 HIV positive patients. The techniques used for data collection were interview and record analysis. Fatigue severity was measured using the Piper Fatigue Scale. With Piper's Integrated Fatigue Model guiding selection, factors examined in this study were haemoglobin count, CD4 count, sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, anxiety and depression, both descriptive and inferential statistics were used for the analysis of data. Physiological measures included hemoglobin count, CD4 count, daytime sleepiness and sleep quality. Psychological measures included anxiety and depression. Using Pearson's r, significant relationships were observed between fatigue and sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, anxiety and depression. Sleep quality (r = 0.314, p = 0.0197), daytime sleepiness (r = 0.443, p = 0.0016), anxiety (r = 0.300, p = 0.034) and depression (r = 0.380, p = 0.0142) retained significance in a 3-step, backward stepwise elimination model and accounted for 80% of the variance in fatigue. There were no correlations between fatigue severity and CD4 count (r =-0.08) or fatigue severity and hemoglobin count (r = 0.032). There is a stronger association between fatigue and psychological parameters than between physiological parameters.

Keywords: HIV-related fatigue, psychological factors, sleep quality, anxiety and depression, physiological variables

How to Cite?: Anusha Merin, "Physiological and Psychological Correlates of HIV Related Fatigue", Volume 14 Issue 10, October 2025, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1006-1012, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR251016124519, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR251016124519