EFFECT OF HIV POSITIVE TEST AND GENDER ON STRESS IN CLIENTS SCREENED IN KANO

Abstract

This is an exploratory psychophysiological study. The study investigated the stress level of newly tested HIV^+ve males and females.  The indicator of stress in this study is blood pressure (BP) which has two readings; systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). High SBP and/or DBP were indicative of stress. Two null hypotheses were postulated and tested.  Cross sectional design and convenience sampling were used in this study. A sample of 40 participants comprising of 12 males HIV^+ve; 28 females HIV^+ve screened in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Kano participated in the study. The BP of each participant was measured with mercurial sphygmomanometer after post-test counselling and disclosure of participants’ serostatus. Data analysis was conducted with Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA).   The results indicated that there was significant difference between the SBP readings of males HIV^+ve and females HIV^+ve. There was no significant difference between the DBP readings of males HIV^+ve and females HIV^+ve.  The post hoc findings indicated two widows recorded highest SBP and one widow highest DBP reading(s).  Clinical psychologist should be employed to give psychotherapy to clients that tested HIV^+ve with high SBP and/or DBP, with attention to the widows.