Indian Journal of Health and Wellbeing

Sabahat Abdullah ¹, Archana Shukla ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Psychology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow. U. P., IN

Abstract

The present study explored gender, age and diagnosis related differences in depression, anxiety and stress among a small sample (n=160) of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) and a matched sample of undiagnosed respondents. The People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) group was found to experience more depression, anxiety and stress than a demographically similar undiagnosed group. Women irrespective of diagnosis were more depressed and stressed than males. Anxiety was highest among males in the PLHA group. The study highlights the vulnerable position of PLHA in India, especially the HIV infected women who due to their secondary gender status and its associated consequences experience substantial level of general distress.

Keywords

HIV/AIDS, Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Women, PLHA

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Sabahat Abdullah ¹, Archana Shukla ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Psychology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, IN

Abstract

Depression among people living with an HIV infection is a matter of extreme concern since depression in turn is associated with poor health outcomes and lower quality of life for them. The purpose of this study was to find out (1) the gender difference in symptoms of depression among people living with an HIV infection, and (2) to compare the symptoms of depression in this group to a demographically similar undiagnosed comparative group. Results indicated that seropositive women had the highest level of depression followed by seropositive men and the diagnosed group experienced more symptoms of depression than the undiagnosed group. The findings can be utilised to develop specialised, targeted intervention for people living with HIV infection.

Keywords

HIV, Depression, Gender.

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