Influence of Gender and Age on Psychosocial Adjustment of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Calabar; Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Health and adjustment to chronic health conditions are often affected by various sociodemographic variables. This study assessed the influence of gender and age on the psychological; social and spiritual adjustment of people living with HIV/AIDS in Calabar; Cross River State; Nigeria. Materials and methods: A comparative descriptive research design was adopted to study 280subjects selected from two health facilities within the study area. A validated adjustment questionnaire was the instrument for data collection while stratified random sampling involving balloting with replacement was used for sample selection. Results: Results showed a significant influence of gender on the respondents' psychological; social and spiritual adjustment (Cal.t=7.89; 4.05; 3.78 Crit.t=1.96). The males adjusted better than the females. Similarly; age of respondents exerted significant influence on psychological adjustment (Cal.F=5.54 Crit.F.=2.37) but not on social and spiritual adjustment (Cal.F=1.67; 0.56 Crit.F