essment of the Psychosocial Challenges Faced by Women Living with HIV During the Perinatal Period in Ibadan, Oyo State
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Date
2023-12
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Lead City University
Abstract
This study explored the psychosocial challenges experienced by WLWH during their pregnancy and the postpartum period. The study was carried out with a mixed-method explanatory sequential approach. For the first phase, 402 WLWH were recruited from ART clinics in Ibadan, Oyo state. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) were administered along with a sociodemographic questionnaire. For the second phase of the study, key informant interviews were conducted with 17 participants that were purposively selected. All the interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using a thematic approach. The interviews explored experiences during pregnancy and the postpartum period and how their HIV status influenced their thoughts and feelings towards pregnancy. The results revealed that the prevalence of both depression and perceived stress among HIV-positive women was 60.9% and 78%, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, it was discovered that having a positive partner, earning a monthly income of less than 20,000 naira, having a planned pregnancy, having a gestational age above 14 weeks, and having problems in a previous pregnancy were significantly associated with depression and perceived stress. Findings from the interviews revealed that WLWH experienced strong emotions of distress and fear surrounding maternal and child health. For the women, the diagnosis of HIV coincided with pregnancy and transformed pregnancy from excitement to anxiety. Coping strategies included acceptance of self and HIV status, coping through support from partners, family, and friends and coping through HIV-related healthcare delivery and system supports. The findings from this study emphasize the need for psychosocial care for pregnant women living with HIV to successfully engage them in ART for prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT)
care and to support their well-being.
Keywords: HIV, women, psychosocial health, perinatal depression, stress
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Keywords
HIV, women, psychosocial health, perinatal depression, stress