Three hundred participants who consented and met the inclusion criteria were recruited using systematic random sampling method. The participants were administered questionnaires to elicit their socio-demographic/clinical profile. This was followed by the administration of 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) to assess for the presence of psychological distress. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 15 (SPSS-15).
Three in every ten participants were observed to experience psychological distress. Socio-demographic and clinical factors, which include lack of family support, unemployment, family history of mental illness and co-morbidity of other medical conditions were associated with psychological distress among the participants (p ?#xA0;0.05). On the other hand, factors like being married, absence of other medical conditions and longer duration of Highly Active Anti-retroviral Therapy (HAART) seem protective against psychological distress.
The adoption and practice of a holistic approach, with inclusion of psychosocial dimension in the care of PLWHA is advocated.