Psychosocial intervention and quality of life of HIV positive female sex workers

Abstract

HIV/AIDS has spread its tough clasp on female sex workers who are poor with fewer resources for coping are much affected with HIV infection. The reason is because the poor are driven into sex trade, less choice in safety newlinemeasures like condom use and are forced to have multiple sexual partners for economic protection resulting in poor quality of life. In order to address these issues and to find if a psychosocial intervention programme has effect on the Quality of Life of participants, a study was initiated. The objectives of the study were to assess the effect of psychosocial intervention on Quality of Life of HIV positive FSWs. Out of the 80 HIV infected FSWs identified in Trichy district, fifty two participants agreed to take part in the study. Data was collected using standardized tools on quality of life (QOL) and other contributing factors prior newlineand after the intervention. All participants underwent a psychosocial intervention programme for 6 months. Majority of the participants were widows (54%) and belong to lower socioeconomic group (80%). At baseline 90 percent participants were found positive for common mental problems which decreased to 60 percent at the end line. The normal Body Mass Index of the participants improved from the baseline of 50% to 62% at the end-line as every participant improved from their previous category. Fifty percent had normal cognitive capacities at baseline which increased to 96 percent at end line. Almost all the participants were improved in terms of knowledge, attitude and behaviour/practice on HIV/AIDS and STI. Poor quality of life was found in 52 percent of at baseline but it was only two percent at the end line. Thus the participants quality of life is highly significant (plt0.001) after taking part in the psychosocial intervention proving the effectiveness of the programme on the Quality of life. Culturally appropriate psychosocial interventions are needed to identify to improve the quality of life of HIV infected individuals.