Challenges for health care workers mainly counselors and doctors, resulting from advances in Antiretroviral Therapy in PLHA (Person Living with HIV/AIDS), are issues of adherence and decisions to use lifelong medication. The present study aims to assess Locus of control (LOC) and their role in the psychological health of HIV-infected patients on second line antiretroviral treatment. The sample comprised thirty HIV-infected patients, who are on second line ART (Antiretroviral Therapy) were assessed on Locus of Control Scale by Menon, et al. (1988) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) by Goldberg and Hollies (1979). For statistical analysis, Mean, SD, ‘t’ test and Correlation were worked out. Results of t-test showed that there was only significant difference between patients having education equal to or above 10th standard and below 10th standard on locus of control score and CD4 counts, gender, education, earning status and numbers of children of PLHA made significant impact on their general health. There was no significant correlation between locus of control and psychological health dimensions except depression score. Based on these findings, it is recommended that treatment emphasis of PLHA on second line therapy should not be only on medicine, significant others should be incorporated with care while psychological health programmes (counseling, psychotherapy etc) should form part of the overall therapy.
Journal of Indian Health Psychology Vol. 7, No. 2, March, 2013