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Correlates of anxiety and depression among HIV test-seekers at a Voluntary Counseling and Testing facility in Pune, India

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Abstract

Objective

We assessed the extent of anxiety/depression/distress using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) among a cross-section of HIV test-seekers at a Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) facility in Pune, India.

Methods

HADS has 14 items for uniscale with 7 items each for anxiety and depression rated on a four-point Likert scale. Between September 2002 and March 2003, HADS was administered to 150 consecutive HIV tests-seekers attending NARI-Talera VCT facility. Subsequently, HIV testing was done after obtaining informed consent.

Results

HADS showed strong internal consistency (Cronbach-α 0.77). The prevalence of risk behavior (73.3%) and HIV (45.5%) were high. Education levels influenced anxiety (p = 0.033; 0.008), more so in women (p = 0.044). Repeat test-seekers exhibited significant depression (AOR: 2.9; 95% CI: 1.4–6.1; p = 0.004) and distress (AOR: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.2–5.3; p = 0.017). Marital status influenced the uniscale scores. The HIV positive repeat test-seekers were more anxious (p = 0.035) and depressed (0.037).

Conclusions

Existence of emotional distress among HIV test-seekers, particularly among repeat test-seekers, possibly ‘AIDS-anxious’ individuals indicates additional counseling needs specifically by introducing gender and education sensitive interventions. VCT staff can be trained to assess emotional distress among HIV test-seekers to formulate long-term intervention.

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Abbreviations

AIDS:

acquired immune deficiency syndrome

AOR:

adjusted odds ratio

CI:

confidence interval

ELISA:

enzyme-Linked immunosorbent assay

HADS:

hospital anxiety depression scale

HIV:

human immunodeficiency virus

OPD:

out patient department

OR:

odds ratio

SD:

standard deviation

STI:

sexually transmitted infections

TB:

tuberculosis

VCT:

voluntary counseling and testing

VCTC:

voluntary counseling and testing center

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Acknowledgments

National AIDS Control Organization, Government of India, supported this study, India vide letter no. T.11020/62/99.

The authors would like to thank the study participants for their contribution. We thank Dr. D. M. Kanoj, Senior Medical Officer, Talera hospital for providing infrastructure and administrative support for the study center. We also thank Ms. Gourie Vaidya for helping in the translation of the instrument and other study forms. Thanks are also due to Mr. Rajesh Yadav, Dr. Kishore Kumar and Mr. Amit Nirmalkar who provided statistical␣guidance. We thank Dr. Rashmi Jadhav, Ms. Pradeep Kaur and Mr. Pawan Khatawane who provided medical support and counseling to all the study participants.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National AIDS Research Institute, Pune, India

    Seema Sahay, Mrudula Phadke, Radhika Brahme, Vandana Joshi, Suvarna Sane, Arun Risbud & Sanjay Mehendale

  2. Surya Hospital, Pune, India

    Vasudeo Paralikar

  3. Talera Municipal Hospital, Pimpri Chinchwad, Pune, India

    Suhas Mate

  4. Assistant Director, Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences, National AIDS Research Institute, 73, G, MIDC, BIE, Pune, 411026, India

    Seema Sahay

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  1. Seema Sahay
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Correspondence to Seema Sahay.

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Sahay, S., Phadke, M., Brahme, R. et al. Correlates of anxiety and depression among HIV test-seekers at a Voluntary Counseling and Testing facility in Pune, India. Qual Life Res 16, 41–52 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-006-9112-1

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