Demographic Variables and Coping Strategies of People Living with HIV/AIDS in the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the influence of demographic variables on coping strategies of people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Nigeria. Three research questions and three corresponding null hypotheses guided the conduct of the study. The review of related literature was organized under three sub-headings: theoretical framework, conceptual framework, and empirical framework. A descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The population of the study consisted of 3,980 people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome on anti-retroviral therapy (ART) attending HIV clinics, from which a sample of 357 participants was selected using a convenience sampling technique. Data were collected using a researcher-developed instrument titled “Demographic Variables and Coping Strategies Questionnaire for People Living with HIV/AIDS” (DVCSQPLWHA), which was face-validated by three experts. The internal consistency method was used to establish reliability, yielding a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of α = 0.74. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions. All the hypotheses were tested using one-way analysis of variance at 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed significant influence of level of age and duration since diagnosis on coping strategies of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). However, the study found no significant influence of employment status on PLWHA. Thus, the study highlighted the importance of age-specific interventions and continuous support over time in enhancing coping abilities among people living with HIV/AIDS. Based on these findings, it was recommended that the Federal and State Ministries of Health, in collaboration with non-governmental organizations such as AIDS-focused groups, should prioritize education and awareness programmes for PLWHA by providing access to health literacy campaigns, counselling services, and skill acquisition initiatives.