Telangana Journal of Psychiatry

Attitude towards illness and behavioral problems among HIV/AIDS orphaned children and other chronically ill children – A comparative study

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Article Type : Original Article

Author Details: Syed Altaf Hussain

Volume : 3

Issue : 1

Online ISSN : 2455-8559

Print ISSN :

Article First Page : 28

Article End Page : 32

Abstract

Objective: To find out the attitude towards illness and behavioral problems among orphaned children suffering from HIV/AIDS and other chronically ill children – A comparative study.
Materials and Methods: The current study is on 110 orphans suffering from HIV in the age group of 8-15 years was conducted at various centers in and around Hyderabad, Telangana. The control group taken was 110 other chronically ill children such as tuberculosis and thalassemia. It followed various tools such as Socio-demographic data sheet developed for the purpose of the study. The scales used were Childhood Attitude Towards Illness Scale (CATIS) and Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ).
Results: HIV affected children were older than children in control group and this difference was statistically significant (p<0.01). HIV affected orphans have more negative attitude towards illness, emotional problems, peer problems, and conduct problems than other chronically ill children. The study also found that overall girls have more negative attitude towards illnesses than boys and boys showed more behavioral problems than girls.
Conclusion: HIV affected orphans have more negative attitude towards illness, internalizing problems (emotional and peer problems) but no significant difference in externalizing problem (conduct and hyperactivity).

Keywords: HIV Orphans, Psycho-social profile of HIV-AIDS children, Childhood Attitude Towards Illness Scale (CATIS), Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)

Doi No:-10.18231