Comparison of quality of life, stress and mental health of addicts and non-addicts affected by HIV and healthy individuals

Abstract

Introduction : T he purpose of this study was comparative analysis of the quality of life, stress and mental health in addicts and non addicts affected by HIV and healthy people. Method : 30 addicts affected by HIV and 30 non addicts affected by HIV were selected from HIV patients’ caring centers and 30 healthy people in Tehran’s parks were selected by available sampling. Participants were evaluated by researcher-constructed questionnaire, Peakle life events questionnaire and general health questionnaire. The results were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and HSD. Result s: Quality of life and mental health in addicts affected by HIV are lower than non addicts affected by HIV, and in non addicts affected by HIV are lower than healthy people. Also, the level of stress in addicts affected by HIV was higher than non addicts affected by HIV and in non addicts affected by HIV was higher than healthy people. Conclusion : Diagnosis of HIV infection along with addiction, because of different reasons such as social labels, uncertainty of disease condition and the lack of definite cure can add more severe physical, psychological and social problems to patients’ problems and pains.