Evaluation of depression and coping skill among HIV-positive people in Kolkata, India.

The objectives of the present study were to evaluate depressive symptoms and coping strategy among HIV-positive women and men. This cross-sectional study was done among 164 newly diagnosed HIV-positive people through a structured questionnaire. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scale was used to measure depression. A 16-items coping scale, Coping with AIDS - Fleishman (CWAF) Instrument, was used to assess coping strategy. χ(2) test was used to compare proportions. Men had significantly higher mean BDI somatic score. Odds for being depressed were 3.6 times higher among men (P value .001, 95% C.I. 1.64-8.07). Analysis of the coping strategies showed that women had better coping skill. Significant correlation was observed between BDI score and emotion-focused coping score (correlation coefficient -0.258, P value .01). HIV-positive men had more depression. Gender-sensitive strategies needed to provide better care for them.

Development of a scale for attitude toward condom use for migrant workers in India.

BACKGROUND: The propaganda for the use of condoms remains one of the mainstay for prevention of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission. In spite of the proven efficacy of condom, some moral, social and psychological obstacles are still prevalent, hindering the use of condoms. AIMS: The study tried to construct a short condom-attitude scale for use among the migrant workers, a major bridge population in India. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The study was conducted among the male migrant workers who were 18-49 years old, sexually active and had heard about condoms and were engaged in nonformal jobs. We recruited 234 and 280 candidates for Phase 1 and Phase 2 respectively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten items from the original 40-item Brown's ATC (attitude towards condom) scale were selected in Phase 1. After analysis of Phase 1 results, using principal component analysis six items were found appropriate for measuring attitude towards condom use. These six items were then administered in another group in Phase 2. Utilizing Pearson's correlations, scale items were examined in terms of their mean response scores and the correlation matrix between items. Cornbach's alpha and construct validity were also assessed for the entire sample. RESULTS: Study subjects were categorized as condom users and nonusers. The scale structure was explored by analyzing response scores with respect to the items, using principal component analysis followed by varimax rotation analysis. Principal component analysis revealed that the first factor accounted for 71% of the variance, with eigenvalue greater than one. Eigenvalues of the second factor was less than one. Application of screen test suggests only one factor was dominant. Mean score of six items among condom users was 20.45 and that among nonusers was 16.67, which was statistically significant (P<0.01). Cornbach's alpha coefficient was 0.92. CONCLUSION: This tailor-made attitude-toward-condom-use scale, targeted for most vulnerable people in India, can be included in any rapid survey for assessing the existing beliefs and attitudes toward condoms and also for evaluating efficacy of an intervention program.

Determinants of quality of life in HIV-infected patients receiving highly active antiretroviral treatment at a medical college ART center in Kolkata, India.

Health-related quality of life (QOL) has become a high priority of long-term management of HIV-infected individuals. The newly diagnosed HIV cases were assessed to obtain sociodemographic and clinical findings. Eyesenk Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief (WHOQOL-BREF) for HIV-infected patients, and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were used to get data regarding personality traits, QOL, and depression scores. A total of 175 patients were included in the study, 128 (73.1%) men and 47 (26.9%) women. Overall 56% of patients screened positive for depression. Presence of depression and high neuroticism score in the personality profile of HIV-infected patients are significantly associated with poorer QOL. High neuroticism score was a strong predictor of poorer QOL in psychological and spiritual domain. Management of HIV-infected patients therefore needs to address these psychological issues.