Perception of anxiety in patients requesting anonymous HIV testing
Vannotti, M.; Samaniego, M.; Guex, P.; Rossi, I.
Schweizerische Medizinische Wochenschrift 124(44): 1941-1944
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-7672 PMID: 7973522 Document Number: 439003
To determine the manifestations of anxiety in subjects seeking anonymous HIV testing and the aptitude of professionals to perceive it, we administered a semi-structured questionnaire to 481 persons, 281 before and 200 after instructing the practitioners to better decode anxiety during the consultation. The perception of anxiety by the care-givers was analyzed using the Covi scale. The results show that subjects requesting an HIV test often report stressful relational events. Their anxiety its often underestimated by the care-givers, and aptitude to recognise the patient's emotions can be improved. Prevention and quality of counselling depend on correct perception of the emotions which prompt the subject to request a test.