Assessment of HIV Related Symptoms among People Living with HIV/AIDS Attending ART Clinics in Bauchi State Nigeria

Abstract

Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) are characterized by a multitude of symptoms that still persist even with the advent of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy HAART. As a result, this study aims to assess the physical and psychosocial symptoms related to HIV/AIDS among People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Bauchi state. A cross-sectional descriptive research design was used with a total sample of 384 PLWHA recruited through multistage sampling technique from eight ART centres in Bauchi state. The respondents were interviewed using a questionnaire developed from the revised signs and symptoms checklist for HIV, the HIV-related Symptoms Severity Scale (SSC-HIVrev), and HIV related social problem scale. The data collected was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science students (SPSS) version 23.0. Frequency tabulation, descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation were used. Most of the participants were affected by physical stressors; the most common symptoms were fever (77.1%), headache (69.8%) and fatigue (65.4%) in the physical dimension, worry/fear (60.9%) in the psychological dimension and grief (57.3%) in the social dimension. Based on these findings it can be concluded that despite the increasing access to ART manageable symptoms still exist. The assessment of these symptoms is essential alongside other virological outcomes as well as the coping strategies adopted to self-manage the symptoms.

Keywords: HIV related symptoms, HIV/AIDS, people living with HIV/AIDS, Physical and Psychological Symptoms