Psychological distress among persons living with HIV, hypertension, and diabetes

Author:
KAGEE Ashraf
Journal article citation:
AIDS Care, 22(12), December 2010, pp.1517-1521.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis

It has been assumed that receipt of a diagnosis of HIV is a uniquely distressing event, more so than with any other illness. This article examines the extent to which sub-clinical psychological distress among South Africans living with HIV is any different from patients living with other chronic diseases, namely hypertension and diabetes. The study compared the mean scores on the Hopkins Symptom Checklist, a measure of emotional distress, of 85 patients with HIV/AIDS, 85 patients with hypertension, 25 with diabetes, and 14 patients with both hypertension and diabetes. The differences among the 4 groups were non-significant, suggesting that living with HIV/AIDS may be no more emotionally distressing than other common chronic illnesses. It is speculated that these findings may be accounted for in terms of the high prevalence of HIV in South Africa, the recent availability of antiretroviral treatment resulting in HIV being seen as a chronic illness rather than a death sentence, and the base rate of mental health problems among the South African population.

Subject terms:
HIV AIDS, long term conditions, mental health problems, diabetes, diagnosis, heart diseases;
Content type:
research
Location(s):
South Africa
Link:
Journal home page
ISSN online:
1360-0451
ISSN print:
0954-0121

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