Background: Clients with HIV have several concerns at the time of diagnosis. This study assessed prevalence, pattern and determinants of emotional disturbances among newly diagnosed HIV clients in Southwestern Nigeria
Methods: Descriptive cross sectional study among 400 newly diagnosed consenting HIV positive clients carried out between January and December 2014. Research instruments were pretested, semi structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Data was analyzed using the SPSS software version 17.0
Results: Mean age was 39.7+11.0 years, and 373(93.5%) had counseling before testing. Major pre-testing experiences include fear 61 (15.3%) and anxiety 36(9.0%). During testing, 28 (7.0%) said they were afraid of the outcome of the test, 41(10.3%) were anxious, 37(9.3%) were
agitated while 20 (5.0%) panicked. Post-testing, 164(41.0%) were shocked, 28(7.0%) disbelieved the result, while 8(2.0%) denied the results. Two hundred and ninety (72.5%) respondents admitted having emotional disturbances, while 163(40.7%) were depressed. Predictors of having depression or emotional disturbances were being a female, not married and not having pretest HIV counseling.
C o n c l u s i o n : E m o t i o n a l disturbances and various forms of depression are common among clients surveyed, with far reaching effects on functional ability and adherence to Anti retroviral (ARVs) drugs.
Key words: K e y w o r d s : E m o t i o n a l disturbances, Depression, newly diagnosed HIV cases
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