Evaluation of depression and coping skill among HIV-positive people in Kolkata, India
Talukdar, A.; Talukdar, P.S.; Ghosal, M.K.; Bal, R.; Ghosh, P.; Goswami, D.N.
Journal of the International Association of Physicians in Aids Care 11(2): 115-120
2012
ISSN/ISBN: 1545-1097 PMID: 21441229 DOI: 10.1177/1545109710393309Document Number: 579355
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.