Learning Objective #1: 1. Appreciate the prevalence of the psychological distress and associated factors amongst clients attending ARV clinics in Malawian Hospitals (in Mzuzu city in particular).

Learning Objective #2: 2. Gain insights for providing comprehensive nursing and pyschological care for adults living with AIDS.

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A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY INVESTIGATING THE PREVALENCE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG PLWAS ATTENDING ARV CLINICS IN MZUZU, MALAWI.
 
C.Masulani, R. Stewart,², &. D. Mathanga²
 
1 St, John of God Community Mental Services-Mzuzu, Malawi
2 Department of Community Health, University of Malawi, College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi
 
Background With 14.4% HIV prevalence among Malawians aged 15-49 years, nursing interventions in ARV clinics are focusing more on the physical than psychological care.
 
Objectives:
To determine the prevalence of psychological distress and associated factors among people living with AIDS (PLWAs) attending ARV clinics in Mzuzu City.
 
Methods
A cross-sectional survey was done among PLWAs attending ARV clinics at Mzuzu Central and St. John’s hospitals. 440 clients were sampled using systematic random sampling. The “Self Reporting Questionnaire” (SRQ, social-demographics and other questions on predictive factors for psychological distress were administered verbally to participants. Ethical clearance was sought from COMREC. SPSS and STATA were used to analyze study data.
 
Findings:
14.4% of this sample was distressed with 4.5 % having suicidal feelings. Young age, being female, low education, joblessness, poor social economical status were demographic characteristics associated with psychological distress. Shorter duration on ARVs, non-availability of psychological support were some of clinical factors that were predictive of psychological distress. Logistic regression did not give any statistically significant interaction or confounding brought by age, sex and social-economic status in the significant relationships.
 
Conclusions:
 

There is a huge unmanaged psychological distress among PLWAs in ARV clinics. Nurses and other health care providers should do thorough assessments to address health problems for PLWAs comprehensively (physical and psychological).