HIV/AIDS and psychological distress: The experience of outpatients in a West African HIV clinic

Background: The experience of psychological distress by People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) often impacts the HIV care outcome negatively. This study was set out to determine the prevalence and correlates of psychological distress among PLWHA attending an outpatient clinic. Material and methods: Three hundred participants who consented and met the inclusion criteria were recruited using systematic random sampling method. The participants were administered questionnaires to elicit their socio-demographic/clinical profile. This was followed by the administration of 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) to assess for the presence of psychological distress. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 15 (SPSS-15). Results: Three in every ten participants were observed to experience psychological distress. Socio-demographic and clinical factors, which include lack of family support, unemployment, family history of mental illness and co-morbidity of other medical conditions were associated with psychological distress among the participants (p = 0.05). On the other hand, factors like being married, absence of other medical conditions and longer duration of Highly Active Anti-retroviral Therapy (HAART) seem protective against psychological distress. Conclusions: The adoption and practice of a holistic approach, with inclusion of psychosocial dimension in the care of PLWHA is advocated. (C) 2012 Polish AIDS Research Society. Published by Elsevier Urban & Partner Sp. z.o.o. All rights reserved.