Exploring disability from the perspective of adults living with HIV/AIDS: Development of a conceptual framework

Table 1 Characteristics of Focus Group and Interview Participants (n = 38)

Characteristic	Number (%)
Gender
Male	21 (55%)
Female	16 (42%)
Transgendered	1 (3%)
Age	41 years old (range: 27–58 years)
Identified with particular ethnic group	23 (60%)**
Nadir CD4 count < 200 cells/mm3	19 (50%)
Diagnosed Prior to 1996	17 (45%)
Experienced an HIV-related illness	11 (73%)*†
Currently Taking HIV Medications	25 (66%)
Currently Working	6 (40%)* (3 full-time, 3 part-time)
Self Rated Health Status
Poor	0 (0%)
Fair	2 (5%)
Good	16 (42%)
Very Good	15 (39%)
Excellent	5 (14%)
HIV Symptom Index
Median Number of Symptoms Present	15/20 (IQR: 8–18)
Median Number of Bothersome Symptoms	13/20 (IQR: 8–18)^

*denominator of 15 interview participants only
**13 identified themselves as African/African Caribbean/Black African/Black; 2 Jewish; 1 West Indian; 1 Latin; 1 Italian Canadian; 1 Irish Canadian; 1 French Italian; 1 English British; 1 White Caucasian; 1 not specified.
†most common HIV-related illness included pneumonia/lung infection/PCP pneumonia (n = 6 participants).
^Most bothersome symptoms included fatigue or loss of energy, feeling sad, down or depressed, and feeling nervous or anxious.
IQR = interquartile range

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