Abstract

Literature shows that HIV/AIDS is not a simple physical or clinical problem, and support related to medication from biomedical perspective is not enough for the people with HIV/AIDS (Dyk, 2008; Kemppainen et al., 2006). Their mental equability is also important and needs to be addressed by the existing care and support system. Anxiety is leading psychological disorder which has strong correlation with rapid disease progression (Leserman et al., 2003). It is expected that increased knowledge about anxiety will support caregiver in helping persons with HIV/AIDS to cope with their anxiety symptoms. This paper reports on a study that explores the presence of anxiety, level of anxiety and source of anxiety of the people with HIV/AIDS in Bangladesh. The study employed a mixed method approach and collected data in two phases. In Phase-I, for quantitative data an anxiety measurement scale developed by Deeba and Begum (2004) were used involving 48 people with HIV/AIDS. The Split-half reliability of the scale was 0.916 and the Cronbach-alpha reliability was 0.9468. The inclusion criteria of the study population (informants) were - those who were HIV Sero-positive adult (age limit 19-69 years) male and female, and also regular HIV positive member of Ashar Alo Society, a HIV self-help group of Bangladesh. The HIV infected people with medical emergency or who were not voluntarily willing to take part in the study were excluded. In Phase-II, for qualitative data interview method were used to identify the source of anxiety of the people with HIV/AIDS. The people who had profound anxiety were invited to participate in the interview session. Eleven people with HIV/AIDS were interviewed. It is expected that outcomes from this study will be used to design and develop care and support system for the people with HIV/AIDS in Bangladesh.