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SUICIDALITY AMONG HIV POSITIVE PATIENTS IN A TREATMENT CENTRE IN KADUNA METROPOLIS

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Supervisor: DR. OWOIDOHO UDOFIA
Faculty: PSYCHIATRY
Month: 07
Year: 2010

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency disease (HIV/AIDS) is a chronic medical condition with many psychological complications, one of which is suicide behaviour. Many studies of this behaviour have been reported in developed countries while only few in Afica. One therefore wonder whether these behaviour are not found in African patients. The aim of the study was therefore, to determine the prevalence of Suicidality among HIV/AIDS patients receiving care at Aids relief centre of St-Gerard Catholic hospital Kaduna, North-West Nigeria. The study also aims to determine the prevalence of depression and to identify some of risk factors associated with Suicidality among these subjects .The study was a descriptive cross sectional study. Two hundred and fifty subjects of those that can read and write in English language were selected through convenience sampling. All the selected subjects consented and participated in the study. Two (2) self administered questionnaire were given to the subjects to fill after receiving written consent. These include socio-demographic questionnaire and Beck depression inventory. Subjects that scored 18 and above on BDI, were further interviewed for diagnosis of depression using major depressive disorder module of M.I.N.I. All the participating subjects were interviewed for Suicidality using Suicidality module of M.I.N.I The author also clinically examined all the 250 subjects to determine their physical state and subsequently grouped each into one of the four stages of the disease, Thereafter the laboratory form was filled for CD4 cell counts testing. The prevalence of suicidality among these patients receiving care at AIDS Relief Centre of St-Gerard Catholic hospital was 16%.Low risk of suicidality was found among 26(65%) of the 40subjects who had suicidality. Moderate risk was found in 5(12.5%) while 9(22.5%) subjects had high risk of suicidality. The Prevalence of depression among the subject was 26%.Factors significantly associated with suicidality in this study were depression( p=0.000;x2=37.645,df=1 ),reaction to illness by friends, colleagues, and relation(p=0.000; x2=26.5,df=2),past psychiatric history(p=0.023; x2=1,df=1 ),physical state of the patient(p=0.0016; x2=5.787,df=1 ),and previous suicidal attempt(p=0.000; x2=66.17,df=1).On multiple regression analysis, depression(P=0.000;odd ratio 11.242 and 95% CI =4.147-30.478) and reaction to illness by friends, relation and colleagues were found to be predictors of suicidality.(p=0.032;odd ratio=0.193 and 95% CI=0.043-0.866).The more severe the depression, the higher the rate of suicide behaviour. Predictor (p=0.00, odd ratio= 64.68 and 95%=10.33-1388) The implication of this finding is that suicidality as one of the psychological consequences of HIV/AIDS is found among these infected patients in Nigeria. Therefore, there is need for prompt recognition and prevention of suicidal behaviour among these patients.

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