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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Enbal Shacham, PhD, MEd¹, Michael Reece, PhD², Patrick O. Monahan, PhD³, Violet Yebei, MA⁴, Otieno Omollo, MD⁵, and W.D. Owino Ong'Or, MD⁵. (1) Applied Health Science, Indiana University, HPER 116, Bloomington, IN 47405, 8128553627, eshacham@indiana.edu, (2) Dept of Applied Health Science, Indiana University-Bloomington, 1025 E. 7th St, HPER 116, Bloomington, IN 47405, (3) Division of Biostatistics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Cancer Center Pavillion, 380G RT, Indianapolis, IN 46202, (4) Department of Sociology, Indiana University, 130 S. Woodlawn, Bloomington, IN 47405, (5) Faculty of Health Sciences, Moi University, PO BOX 4606, Eldoret, Kenya

Background: It is well documented that individuals living with HIV experience varying levels of psychological distress symptoms throughout the progression of the disease. Additionally, depression is the most commonly documented symptoms reported in regards to this population. Little has been documented regarding the mental health status of individuals living with HIV throughout Africa. The purpose of this study was to find an appropriate measure of psychological distress symptoms to be utilized in a clinical environment in Western Kenya. Methods: This study was conducted with members of an established a support group network to measure the psychological distress symptoms of individuals living with HIV who self-seek support group care in this environment. Participants completed questionnaires that included both the Brief Symptom Inventory and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (n=396). Internal consistency measures were employed to measure the reliability of two scales that have previously been validated within HIV-infected and within clinical populations. Focus groups were conducted to understand the notion of measurement and further validate the meaning of the items on the two scales studied. Results: Internal consistency was measured by Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the BSI dimensions, which ranged from 0.62 for psychoticism to 0.77 for anxiety. The PHQ-9 resulted with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.78. Qualitative research findings offered an opportunity to further understand the complexities of self-reporting psychological distress symptoms. Conclusion: Validity and reliability testing of mental health assessments offer insight to understanding psychological distress symptoms and furthermore, how to improve the provision of care and treatment.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will learn of the importance of mental health assessment within the context of HIV.
• Participants will understand the applicability of mental health measurements in different cultural contexts.
• Participants will be able to explain the complexities of measuring psychological distress symptoms within different cultural contexts.

Keywords: Mental Health Services, HIV/AIDS

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No