Psychosocial correlates of human immunodeficiency virus infected patients

• Main Authors: Megha Agrawal, Kalpana Srivastava, Sunil Goyal, Suprakash Chaudhury
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2012-01-01
• Series: Industrial Psychiatry Journal
• Subjects: Anxiety; depression; human immunodeficiency virus; psychological well-being; psychosocial correlates
• Online Access: http://www.industrialpsychiatry.org/article.asp?issn=0972-6748;year=2012;volume=21;issue=1;spage=55;epage=60;aulast=Agrawal

Background: Reactions of people to a diagnosis of HIV and its effect on well-being vary greatly. There is paucity of Indian studies in this area. Aim: To assess the level of anxiety, depression and quality of life in HIV seropositive individuals. Materials and Methods: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study with a sample size of 50 seropositive individuals. They were assessed using a specially prepared proforma containing several questions pertaining to their demographic profile, details of HIV status and high-risk behavior, questions on family support and discrimination. In addition, all subjects were evaluated with WHO well-being index, General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), and Hospital Anxiety, and Depression Scale. Results: Anxiety was noted in 54% of the individuals whereas only 30% suffered from depression. GHQ showed psychological morbidity in 44% individuals. WHO well-being index noted poor psychological well-being in 46% of individuals. Conclusion: The high level of anxiety and depression in HIV seropositive subjects reiterates the importance of psychological counseling in HIV afflicted individuals in conjunction with suitable pharmacotherapy.