Assessing the psychological well-being of caregivers of people living with HIV/AIDS in Niger Delta region, Nigeria

Despite the availability of anti-retroviral drugs and treatment, the care and support of people living with HIV/AIDS has continued to be a major challenge, with greater impact not only on the people living the disease. The burden associated with care often results in high level of stress among caregivers, usually manifesting as anxiety and/or depression. This study assesses the levels of stress among caregivers of people living with HIV/AIDS in Niger Delta region of Nigeria, in order to determine their coping strategies. Between July and December 2008, 322 caregivers of people living with HIV/AIDS attending HIV clinic of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital were randomly assessed for stress (anxiety and depression), using Zung's Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) and Self-Report Questionnaire (SRQ-20). A total of 293 caregivers comprising 98 (33.4%) males and 195 (66.6%) females were analysed. Mean age of males was 44.0 ± 4.5 years and females was 39.3 ± 4.0 years. The difference in the mean was statistically significant (p<0.001). Of the 293 caregivers, 191 (65.2%) and 115 (39.2%) were scored high on SDS and SRQ-20, respectively (representing the levels of stress). Using SDS groups on SRQ-20 subscales, 134 (45.7%) had anxiety only, 23 (7.8%) depression only, 52 (17.7%) had a mixture of anxiety and depression, while 11 (3.7%) exhibited suicidal tendencies. There is increasing level of stress in caregiving. Therefore, adequate attention must be given to the psychological well-being of caregivers to enable them contribute positively to the care of people living with HIV/AIDS.