ABSTRACT
Background: In the realm of health and wellbeing, the cursed part is illness. Times elapsed, the health problems and challenges evolved constantly. In 1980s the first case of HIV was reported and according to world health organization 36.9 million people worldwide are living with HIV/AIDS. Life of people living with HIV/AIDS is challenging as opportunistic infections and their life style keeps their health status dynamic. The present study was done to assess and identify the level of general health status of immuno-compromised people at selected ART center, Gadag, Karnataka. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted on assessment of general health status of PLHIV using standard general health questionnaire-28 at ART center, GIMS, Gadag from May 2022 to December 2022. Total 300 samples were chosen using purposive sampling method based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data analysis was done using version SPSS 20.0. Results: The majority 90% (270) respondents were in state of distress or caseness and10% (30) of respondents were in state of wellbeing or no caseness. Conclusions: our study concluded thatoverall general health status of PLHIV swung towards state of distress, the main reason for this being inaccessibility of health care services & disruption in availability and accessibility of ART services
ABSTRACT
Background: Cancer diagnosis is known to cause significant mental distress and anxiety. Psychologically distressed patients are less compliant to treatments and endure longer hospitalization. Assessment of distress is critical to develop necessary interventions. Our research aims to assess the severity, contributing factors, and relationships between socio-demographic characteristics and psychological distress in cancer patients. Methods: A cross sectional study with random sample of 188 cancer patients were assessed for distress with NCCN distress thermometer (DT) from a tertiary care facility. Descriptive analysis and Chi-square test performed using SPSS-28. Results: 75% reported "moderate and above" distress levels, with a mean distress of 5.5±2.99. Respondents below 40 years, females, currently unmarried, nuclear families, highly educated, and financially dependent were more likely to experience severe distress (score 8-10). Significant emotional concerns were associated with severe distress, followed by practical problems. Conclusions: Distress can be routinely screened with a simple visual analogue scale like DT. A severely distress patient had 3 or more physical, practical, emotional and 2 or more social and spiritual concerns and a person with mild distress had just one emotional concern and spiritual concern and none of the other three. Early identification, routine screening and psychosocial support can reduce distress with optimal efficacy.