1. Chandra N. Corker
Argosy University

2. HIV, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is an
immune destroying virus that is acquired through
the exchange of blood and other bodily fluids.
Common means of transmission:
 Unprotected sex (oral sex, vaginal & anal
intercourse)
 Contaminated needles (sharing of drug
injecting equipment)
 Transfusions
 Childbirth (from infected mom to baby)
 Breast milk
 Organ transplant

3. The Numbers
As of 2006,39.5 million individuals worldwide are
estimated to be diagnosed with HIV(Brown and
Vanable, 2008).
o In Botswana, an estimated 11.8 million young
people were HIV-positive (Onyewadume,
2008).
 Unfortunately 40,000 new cases of HIV will be
diagnosed annually in the US alone (Brown and
Vanable, 2008).
o African Americans account for 50% of AIDS
cases

4. Mental Health Care: A Necessary
Component
Like any illness, the signs and symptoms of a chronic or terminal illness can
be difficult to deal with, causing depression and anxiety to develop. Mental
health care has been proven to improve quality of life and well-being in those
that are HIV-positive(Shacham, Basta, & Reece, 2007).
A look at three populations will show a difference in cultural norms but a
commonality amongst triggers of mental distress.
 a significant proportion reported difficulties coping with stress
(Brown & Vanable, 2008)
 adjustment challenges contributed to poor disease management.

5. HIV and The African American
Population
Barriers to seeking mental Cultural barriers that
health care: impact mental health care:
 found to have high levels of  mistrust in government
depression with little to no
services and medical care
treatment.
 mistrust in health care  the negative opinion of
providers Americans in regard to
psychotherapy
 costs of mental health care
 lack of treatment options
 limited access to providers with
in the community

6. HIV and The African
Population
Contributing factors to Cultural barriers that
HIV-positive status: impact mental health care:
 gender, dating customs
 female reproductive system, removes power to negotiate
tearing of the vaginal lining intimate relationships
during intercourse o Sex with a virgin cures
HIV/AIDS (Onyewadume,
 gender, older men date 2008).
younger girls (Onyewadume,  myths of God using HIV/AIDS
2008). as a form of punishment
(Onyewadume, 2008).
 The uncontrollability of the
male libido (Onyewadume, 2008).

7. The Burden: Women and children speak
up about life with HIV/AIDS

8. HIV and The Chinese
Population
HIV-positive people in China can find
themselves living in hostile environments that
can be dangerous for themselves and their
loved ones. Psychosocial stressors:
 Individualism (Jin, Zhao, Feng & Wu, 2010).
 Feelings of fear & helplessness (Jin, Zhao,
Feng & Wu, 2010).
 Ostracized loved ones (Jin, Zhao, Feng &
Wu, 2010).
 Job loss (Jin, Zhao, Feng & Wu, 2010).
 Loss of independence (Jin, Zhao, Feng & Wu,
2010).
 Others negative reaction to their HIV status
(Jin, Zhao, Feng & Wu, 2010).

9. Instruments used:
Self-questionnaire to obtain participant
demographic information
Psychiatry Epidemiology Research Interview
Life Events Scale, designed to measure stressful
life events (Pukay-Martin, Cristiani, Saveanu &
Bornstein, 2003).
Symptom Check List 90

10. References
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Sexually Transmitted Infections, 79 (2), 142-146.
Brown, J. & Vanable, P. (2008). Cognitive-behavioral stress management interventions for persons living with HIV: A
review and critique of the literature. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 35, 26-40.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). Basic information about HIV and AIDS. Divisions of HIV/AIDS, Viral
STD, and TB Prevention. Atlanta, Georgia. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/basic/
Cucciare, M., & Trafton, J.A. (2009). Predicting response to cognitive-behavioral therapy in a sample of HIV-positive
with chronic pain. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 32, 340-348.
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Advancement of Counseling, 30, 179-188.
Pukay-Martin, N.D., Cristiani, S.A., Saveanu, R., & Bornstein, R. (2003). The relationship between stressful life events and
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436-441.

11. YouTube. (2009). Because of my status, living with hiv in alexandra township part 2. Retrieved from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEDLkNpmcLc&feature=related
YouTube. (2011). Stigma undermines china’s hiv/aids fight. Retrieved from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEDLkNpmcLc&feature=related