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Mental Health and HIV/AIDS: A Thematic Analysis of Communication and Support for People Living with HIV/AIDS in an Online Support Group
José Daniel Gil-Fortoul Bucheli
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 2, December 2018
Pages:
26-34
Received:
11 September 2018
Accepted:
20 September 2018
Published:
17 October 2018
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20180402.11
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Abstract: Qualitative research on HIV/AIDS and the use of online support groups has suggested that participants benefit from them in terms of empowerment and emotional support. However there is almost no information available on the specific topic of mental health and concerns that people living with HIV/AIDS have around the topic, and what the role is of forums when participants look for orientation and relief from psychological distress. The aim of this study was to explore trends in discussion about mental health in online support groups and to try to identify usual concerns and strategies that members share in the forums when they address the matter of psychological distress, including mental disorders such as depression and anxiety. Thematic analysis of 701 messages posted by 220 members in a forum about mental health and HIV/AIDS revealed three themes: ‘Therapy almighty?’, ‘Swallow the pill or not’, and ‘Being lonely is not helping’. The findings suggest that participants tend to idealise therapy, medicine and companionship, which are the three main alternatives of solution to problems discussed in the online forum. This idealisation might be due to the uncertainties and burdens inherent to HIV/AIDS, and the need for hope in definitive solutions to the multiple problems this population can face. While other studies have considered online support groups as a source of relief themselves, our findings suggests that participants use them as a mean to mainly look for answers, obtaining only references to other resources that could actually have those desired answers.
Abstract: Qualitative research on HIV/AIDS and the use of online support groups has suggested that participants benefit from them in terms of empowerment and emotional support. However there is almost no information available on the specific topic of mental health and concerns that people living with HIV/AIDS have around the topic, and what the role is of fo...
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Factors Influencing the Occurrence of Mental Illness in Persons Living with HIV/AIDS in Kabarole District, Uganda
Kabiru Usman Muhammad,
Peter Chidiebere Okorie,
Esther Umahi,
Emmanuel Obiano,
Joel Rimande
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 2, December 2018
Pages:
35-43
Received:
8 November 2018
Accepted:
4 December 2018
Published:
26 December 2018
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20180402.12
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Abstract: HIV infection and psychiatric disorders have a complex relationship. Being HIV infected could result in psychiatric disorders as a psychological consequence of the infection or because of the effect of the HIV virus on the brain. This study aimed at investigating Factors Influencing the Occurrence of Mental Illness in Persons Living with HIV/AIDS in Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital, Kabarole District, Uganda. Structured, pretested Individual Patient Record Review Checklist and General Patient Record Checklist was used to collect data from the hospital’s records. Key Informant Interview (KII) were used to validate checklist findings. It was found that most of the respondents were females (58%), most were in age group (26-36yrs) 40%, majority of the respondents were married (53%), by religion most were protestant (39%), by tribe majority were Mutooro (53%), most of the respondent were illiterate (37%), by occupation majority were peasant farmer 78 (50%), most of the respondent has less than 5 children (80%) and majority were from fort portal municipality (35%) respectively. It was equally found that there was a significant relationships between age, marital status and level of education, where psychological disorder were most common among female with depression 22, anxiety 16, grief 9 and dementia 4, depression is most common in age group of 16-25yrs and 26-35yrs with 11 respectively, depression is mostly among married client 17 (45%) followed by single 12 (31%). These findings suggests that more attention needs to be paid to these disorders, particularly in the light of literature demonstrating the impact of mental disorders, especially depression and anxiety, on disease progression and adherence to antiretroviral medication and formation of liason in management of HIV/AIDs and psychological disorders or to generate a joint treatment plan.
Abstract: HIV infection and psychiatric disorders have a complex relationship. Being HIV infected could result in psychiatric disorders as a psychological consequence of the infection or because of the effect of the HIV virus on the brain. This study aimed at investigating Factors Influencing the Occurrence of Mental Illness in Persons Living with HIV/AIDS i...
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Incidence of Virological Failure and Associated Factors among Adult HIV-Positive Patients on First Line Antiretroviral Therapy Regimen, Central Ethiopia
Tamrat Endebu,
Alem Deksisa,
Tibka Moges,
Teresa Kisi,
Temesgen Ensermu
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 2, December 2018
Pages:
44-51
Received:
10 November 2018
Accepted:
28 November 2018
Published:
7 January 2019
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20180402.13
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Abstract: Introduction: Viral replication continued to be a major challenge among patients living with HIV and on antiretroviral treatment. In Adama hospital medical college virological failure incidence and factors associated were not well investigated. The aim of this study is to assess Incidence of virological failure and associated factor among adult HIV-patients on first line antiretroviral therapy regimen in Adama Hospital Medical College, Adama town, East Shoa Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Methods: A retrospective cohort study design, 5 years of follow up, was conducted through reviewed and analyzed data of 445 adult patients who had started ART between January 01, 2013 and April 30, 2018. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to estimate the probability of virological failure at different time points. Incidence of virological failure was calculated per 100 Person-years. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify factors associated with virological failure. Results: Out of the total 445 cohort patients who were assessed for viral load, there were 40 (9.0%) virological failures in 1,594 person years of retrospective follow-up. This makes the incidence rate of virological failure 2.5 per 100 person-years of follow-up. The cumulative hazard of virological failure at 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years and 5 years after starting ART amongst those tested was 1.1%, 4.3%, 6.6%, 9.9% and 12.3% respectively. Age 15-24 years [AHR = 4.13, 95%CI (1.29-13.22)], poor adherence [AHR = 2.62, 95%CI (1.21-5.68)], Short duration on ART taking [AHR = 6.93, 95%CI (2.62-18.33)], and changing ART regimen [AHR = 2.82, 95%CI (1.18-6.75)] were risk factors significantly associated with virological failure. Conclusion and recommendations: Overall there was substantial incidence rate of virological failure. Age 15-24 years, poor adherence, and Short duration on ART taking, and changing ART regimen were risk factors significantly associated with virological failure. Therefore, stakeholders should develop strategies and interventions that may help to minimize virological failure by giving more attention to young (15-24 years) age as well as efforts should be strengthened to improve adherence to antiretroviral therapy.
Abstract: Introduction: Viral replication continued to be a major challenge among patients living with HIV and on antiretroviral treatment. In Adama hospital medical college virological failure incidence and factors associated were not well investigated. The aim of this study is to assess Incidence of virological failure and associated factor among adult HIV...
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Predictors of Anxiety and Depression Among Caregivers of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Positive Children in Calabar, Nigeria
Sunday Oteikwu Ochigbo,
Chimaeze Torty,
Sidney Oparah
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 2, December 2018
Pages:
52-56
Received:
20 November 2018
Accepted:
7 December 2018
Published:
11 January 2019
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20180402.14
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Abstract: WHO ranks depression as the single largest contributor to global disability which is approximately 7.5% of all years lived with disability in 2015, anxiety disorders are ranked 6th (3.4%). Due to the chronic course of the disease, it imparts negatively on the caregivers who demonstrate high levels of psychological distress and depression, increased rates of physiological illness, personal, financial, family, and social problems. This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from July to November 2018 at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria. A structured proforma was used to collect the baseline data which included socio-demography, relationship to the child, socioeconomic status etc. The anxiety and depression levels of these individuals were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Sixty-four (64) parents/caregivers were interviewed who were predominantly females 79.7% with F: M ratio of 4:1. Most of the parents/caregivers had moderate grade depression and anxiety scores of 45(70.3%) and 36(56.2%) respectively. The predictors for the presence of depression were female gender, lower average monthly income and HIV status. No statistically significant predictor was identified for anxiety. The study showed that socio-demographic factors and HIV status were predictors of mental outcomes among caregivers of HIV infected children. Depression was the commonest presentation by caregivers. Clinicians should thoroughly and regularly assess mental health problems of caregivers of HIV positive children and utilize multidisciplinary approach to reduce burden on caregivers.
Abstract: WHO ranks depression as the single largest contributor to global disability which is approximately 7.5% of all years lived with disability in 2015, anxiety disorders are ranked 6th (3.4%). Due to the chronic course of the disease, it imparts negatively on the caregivers who demonstrate high levels of psychological distress and depression, increased...
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Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Knowledge Among Residents of Informal Settlement in Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 2, December 2018
Pages:
57-65
Received:
23 November 2018
Accepted:
6 December 2018
Published:
11 January 2019
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20180402.15
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Abstract: Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is the most formidable challenge to public health. Prevention and control of its spread is partly depends on peoples knowledge and behaviour change from risky to safe sexual practices. This aim of this cross sectional descriptive and quantitative study was to assess Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome knowledge among residents of informal settlement. Accordingly, this study was conducted among residents of informal settlement in ward 40 who have stayed for more than five years in the area and were 18 years and above on their last birthday. The study sample consisted of 100 participants, 47 male and 53 females. The results showed that high Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome knowledge levels among the respondents. Overall, the results also revealed that adults (85%) and female (82%) respondents were more knowledgeable about Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome than youth (57%) and male (74%) respondents. It is also of interest to note that, despite the high overall knowledge levels, some of the respondents still had poor knowledge, misconceptions and erroneous beliefs about Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Only 47% of male respondents knew that there was no cure for HIV and AID Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome compared to 84% of females, while also only 55% of males knew that there was no expensive vaccine for prevention against HIV infection compared to 74% of females. The results further revealed that despite 94% of males knowing that traditional practitioners cannot prevent HIV spread compared to 87% of females, it is interesting to note that only 66% of males knew that western and traditional medicine cannot be combined to treat HIV infected people compared to 91% of females. The knowledge gaps among males and youth, and misconceptions about transmission and prevention and treatment shows that the participants were vulnerable to Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome infection. There is a need for intensification of health education interventions in the Nelson Mandela Municipality in order to close the knowledge gap and address the existing misconceptions and erroneous beliefs in the community.
Abstract: Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is the most formidable challenge to public health. Prevention and control of its spread is partly depends on peoples knowledge and behaviour change from risky to safe sexual practices. This aim of this cross sectional descriptive and quantitative study was to assess Human Immunode...
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