A Comparative Analysis of the Symptom Patterns, Demographic Variables and Emotional Problems of Chikun-Gunya Patients from North Coastal Andhra Pradesh

In the southern states of India since two years a rampant spread of chikun-gunya fever was observed it was a state of acute fever accompanied by long range disabilities and psychological consequences. In this study, an attempt was made to investigate the nature of symptom patterns experienced by chikun-gunya patients in the different geographical areas of north coastal Andhra Pradesh, by assessing the psychological correlates of the prolonged arthritic disabilities to normal functioning. In this study chikun-gunya symptom schedule was developed by the researcher. The psychological health of the patient was assessed by using the 'General Health questionnaire (28) (Goldberg & Hillier, 1979)'. The sample of 361 patients (male=186, female=175) were taken from the urban, semi urban, rural and the tribal areas of north coastal Andhra Pradesh. The't' test and ANOVA statistics were used to analyze data. The results showed that considering gender, females showed higher levels of somatization of symptoms with severe depression. Among the four areas investigated, significant differences were found in social dysfunction and somatization of symptoms. Comparing the acidity and no acidity patients, the symptoms of anxiety and insomnia were found to be significantly higher in acidity patients. The smoking and alcohol consuming patients both showed a significantly high score on social dysfunction.