Development of ket-u-t phenomenon to assess comprehensive care, support, and treatment in people living with hiv

Abstract

Background: Negative psychological responses related to HIV seropositivity status disclosure are prevalent and often remain unattended. We proposed a comprehensive care delivery method with biopsychosocial approach (comprehensive care, support, and treatment [C-CST]) along with an instrument (KET-U-T phenomenon) to assess its efficacy. Methods: A total of 200 individuals HIV positive were consecutively enrolled in this study and equally distributed into pre-and post-C-CST groups. All participants were structurally interviewed to assess HIV-related information level, family support, and KET-U-T phenomenon (K=disappointment, E=emotion/anger, T=denial, U=effort, T=acceptance). Appropriate statistical analyses were done to determine the effect of C-CST on the KET-U-T phenomenon. Results: Post test counselling for 100 individuals pre-C-CST, demonstrated HIV-related information level (68%) and family support (78%) inadequacy, with respective proportion of KET-U-T phenomenon components of; K: 43.0%, E: 12%, T: 30%, U: 100%, T: 15%. Significant improvement post C-CST observed in reduction of HIV-related information level (26%) and family support (38%) inadequacy, with respective proportion of KET-U-T phenomenon components of; K: 18%, E: 2%, T: 5%, U: 100%, T: 75% (p=0.000). Conclusions: Comprehensive care, support, and treatment yielded significant improvement in negative psychological adaptation and seropositive status acceptance in PLWH as observed with the KET-U-T phenomenon.