Correlates and Predictors of Psychological Morbidity in HIV-Infected Persons: A Cross Sectional Study

O. H.  Ezeh; C. C.  Ezeh

doi:10.4236/ojmp.2019.84006

O. H. Ezeh¹, C. C. Ezeh²

Abstract: Introduction: HIV-infection is associated with many factors including: physical, social, cultural and psychosocial factors. Physiological changes associated with HIV infection may generate psychological morbidity. However, specific psychosocial factors contributing to psychological morbidity remain unclear. Identifying factors contributing to psychological morbidity may help in prevention and planning intervention. Aims/Objectives: 1) To identify significant predictors of psychological morbidity from specific dysfunctional coping traits/dimensions among HIV-infected persons; 2) To assess/determine the association between predictor variables (specific coping dysfunctional traits) and psychological morbidity; 3) To identify other correlates of psychological morbidity; 4) To make recommendations on how to reduce levels of dysfunctional coping and psychological morbidity. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted to examine data collected from 110 participants, HIV patients receiving HAART services from Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Results: Results indicate that HIV-patients with high levels of psychological morbidity were more likely to use dysfunctional coping more frequently. Therefore, greater psychological distress and symptoms reporting may be associated with dysfunctional coping. Conclusion/Recommendation: The study recommends that specific dysfunctional coping dimensions should also be targeted in interventions designed to reduce psychological morbidity in HIV patients.

Keywords: Psychological Morbidity, Predictors, Correlates, Coping Dysfunction

Cite this paper: Ezeh, O. and Ezeh, C. (2019) Correlates and Predictors of Psychological Morbidity in HIV-Infected Persons: A Cross Sectional Study. Open Journal of Medical Psychology, 8, 57-65. doi: 10.4236/ojmp.2019.84006.

References

[1] NACA (2017) National Strategic Framework on HIV and AIDS: 2017-2021.

[2] UNAIDS and NACA (2019) UNAIDS Report. HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.
http://pushingforthelastmile.com

[3] NAIIS (2018) National HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey.
http://www.internationalhealthpolicies.org

[4] Ezeh, O.H. (2017) Socio-Demographics of HIV-Infected Persons with Psychological Morbidity in Zaria, Nigeria. Open Journal of Medical Psychology, 6, 228-232.
https://doi.org/10.4236/ojmp.2017.64018

[5] Ezeh, O.H. (2019) Diagnosing Dysfunctional Coping in HIV-Infected Persons. Open Journal of Medical Psychology, 8, 36-43.
https://www.scirp.org

[6] Dalmida, S.G., McCoy, K., Koenig, H.G., Miller, A., Holstad, M.M. and Thomas, T.L. (2018) Correlates and Predictors of Medication Adherence in Out-Patients Living with HIV/AIDS. Journal of HIV/AIDS and Social Services, 17, 402-420.
https://www.tandfonline.com
https://doi.org/10.1080/15381501.2018.1502709

[7] Goldberg, D. (1992) The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). NFER-Nelson, Windsor.

[8] Carver, C.S. (1997) You Want to Measure Coping Protocol Too Long: Consider the Brief Cope. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 4, 92-100.
https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327558ijbm0401_6

[9] Balbin, E.G. (2000) Stress and Coping: The Psychoneuroimmunology of HIV/AIDS. Best Practice Research: Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 13, 615-633.
https://doi.org/10.1053/beem.1999.0047

[10] O’Cleirigh, C. and Safren, S. (2007) Breaking the Mold or Business as Usual? Meeting the Challenges of HIV Prevention in People with Serious Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders. Clinical Psychology, Science and Practice, 14, 34-38.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2850.2007.00060.x

[11] Aneshensel, C.S. and Stone, J.D. (1982) Stress and Depression: A Test of Buffering Model of Social Support. Archive of General Psychiatry, 39, 1392-1396.
https://doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.1982.04290120028005

[12] Joseph, R.S. (2016) The Importance of Stress Management for People with HIV/ AIDS. GoodTherapy.org.
https://www.goodtherapy.org