To Study the Level of Hope and Positive Attitude towards Illness among AID Spatients in Chennai

To find out the level of hope and positive attitude towards AIDS illness, among Chennai patients. Tamil Nadu has dropped from third to fifth among states with the largest number of people infected with the deadly virus. HIV positive members of the family can find themselves stigmatized and discriminated against within the home. It is found that women and non-heterosexual family members are more likely than children and men to be mistreated. In the workplace, people living with HIV may suffer stigma from their co-workers and employers, such as social isolation and ridicule, or experience discriminatory practices. People with AIDS tend become more depressed or anxious. A positive attitude towards the illness can help the patients accept or overcome the illness more effectively. Hence the present study aimed at finding out the level of hope and positive attitude towards the illness in patients. Exploratory study with ex-post facto research design was used in the present study. Random sampling strategy was used to draw the sample. The sample comprised of AIDS patients (n=30) among which 19 were male and 11 were female. Adult hope scale by Snyder (2002) was used to find out the level of hope among the patients and Silver lining questionnaire by Sodergren and Hyland (2000) was used to assess positive attitudes towards AIDS illness. The results revealed that there is a lot of hope and better positive attitude towards illness among AIDS patients. The mean difference revealed that men and women differ in their level of hope and positive attitude. Illness makes an individual realize his/her true purpose in life and the direction in which they carry their life. From this study we can understand that AIDS patients have hope and positive attitude in life. People with illness should be given more care and counselling to help the in focus in life positively.