[ relationship between attachment styles and religious coping styles with mental health among HIV[+] patients]

Introduction: Study of psychological factors affecting HIV-related mental illnesses is vital in promoting mental health of HIV patients. Among these factors are attachment styles and religious coping styles, which relation with mental health is studied in this study

Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 120 HIV[+] patients in counseling centers in Shiraz, were randomly selected. After completing consent form, patients were studied via Revised Adult's Attachment Styles [RAAS] by Collins and Reid, Religious Coping Styles Scale by Bodroxand General Mental Health[GHQ] by Goldberg

Results: Analysis of variance showed that HIV[+] patients with secure attachment styles have better mental health than patients with both avoidant and anxious-ambivalent insecure attachment styles [P<0.001]. Independent t-test showed that patients who use positive religious coping more frequently [P=0.007], have better mental health. To predict mental health based on secure attachment styles and religious coping styles, multiple regression method was used

Conclusion: Results indicated that among HIV+patients secure attachment styles is the most important predictor of mental health. Results indicated that higher positive religious coping and secure attachment styles can result in better mental health of HIV+patients

[Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus infection and related risk factors among injective substance abusers in Shiraz, Southern part of Iran]

As substance abusers are prone for human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] infection, this study was established to estimate the prevalence of HIV infection and related risk factors among injective substance abusers in Shiraz. In this cross sectional descriptive study, we studied 360 male intravenous substance abusers in a random "time location sampling" method all around Shiraz. During September to December 2008, participants were asked by standard structured questionnaire of behavioral study. We obtained three blood spots from their fingers to evaluate HIV infection. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistical methods such as mean, variance, tables and schemas. The mean age of participants were 33 +/- 7.26 years [range 19-64]. The average age of initial substance use and first intravenous substance use were 18.6 +/- 1.63 and 25 +/- 6.32 years. 30.2% of the participants were homeless and the most prevalent method of abuse was injection. The most abused illicit drug in the last month was Tamgizak [41.1%]. During last month, 15% had used contaminated syringes and 15.6% had used shared syringes; 62.8% of participant had sex with permanent partners such as wife, 36.3% had sex to earn money or drugs, 54% had sex with other partners [not for money or drugs] and 49.4% were homosexual. During last year, prevalence of unprotected sexual intercourse without condom in four mentioned sexual patterns were 49.7%, 31.7%, 43.3%, 75.6% respectively. In addition, 24.7% [89 cases] were infected with HIV. The prevalence of HIV[+] cases and high risk behaviors among intravenous drug abusers are high