Topic Name: Hiv/Aids: Issues and Attitudes
Topic Name: HIV/AIDS: Issues and Attitudes
In this essay I will explain why the following issues are most important to consider and keep in mind when caring for a person identified as being HIV positive or having AIDS. The issues that I consider most important are how this illness impacts on the patient psychologically; how to prevent HIV transmission and the interventions that are effective; what treatment is available; and the issues surrounding medication adherence and its importance.
How this issue impacts on the patient psychologically
Depression and depressive disorders are a common issue for people who are HIV positive, 40% to 48% of people who are HIV positive suffer from depression (Buchanan 2002; Lichtenstein 2002). This issue is important to consider when caring for a patient who is HIV positive because they are twice as likely, compared to other people without HIV to have a major depressive disorder (Buchanan 2002). Clinical depression is also more likely to occur the longer the patient has been affected, in the later stages of the HIV disease (Buchanan 2002; Lichtenstein 2002). The possibility of a HIV positive person developing depression significantly increases 18 months prior to the onset of symptoms, and it can increase morbidity and mortality (Lichtenstein 2002).
Depression is a significant issue when caring for any patient as it has a considerable negative impact on quality of life, and a severely debilitating effect on functioning than most other medical conditions (Buchanan 2002). People with HIV who are also diagnosed with a mood disorder have poorer physical health, mental health and wellbeing compared with people with HIV and without mood disorders (Buchanan 2002). The risk factors for people with HIV developing depression include a lack of social support, bereavement and poor relationships with close friends and family (Buchanan 2002).
A study was carried out with nursing home residents who were HIV positive, it
In this essay I will explain why the following issues are most important to consider and keep in mind when caring for a person identified as being HIV positive or having AIDS. The issues that I consider most important are how this illness impacts on the patient psychologically; how to prevent HIV transmission and the interventions that are effective; what treatment is available; and the issues surrounding medication adherence and its importance.
How this issue impacts on the patient psychologically
Depression and depressive disorders are a common issue for people who are HIV positive, 40% to 48% of people who are HIV positive suffer from depression (Buchanan 2002; Lichtenstein 2002). This issue is important to consider when caring for a patient who is HIV positive because they are twice as likely, compared to other people without HIV to have a major depressive disorder (Buchanan 2002). Clinical depression is also more likely to occur the longer the patient has been affected, in the later stages of the HIV disease (Buchanan 2002; Lichtenstein 2002). The possibility of a HIV positive person developing depression significantly increases 18 months prior to the onset of symptoms, and it can increase morbidity and mortality (Lichtenstein 2002).
Depression is a significant issue when caring for any patient as it has a considerable negative impact on quality of life, and a severely debilitating effect on functioning than most other medical conditions (Buchanan 2002). People with HIV who are also diagnosed with a mood disorder have poorer physical health, mental health and wellbeing compared with people with HIV and without mood disorders (Buchanan 2002). The risk factors for people with HIV developing depression include a lack of social support, bereavement and poor relationships with close friends and family (Buchanan 2002).
A study was carried out with nursing home residents who were HIV positive, it
References: Sighem, A 2003, 'Mortality and progression to AIDS after staring highly active antiretroviral therapy ', AIDS, vol. 17, no. 15, pp. 2227-34.