Impressions of patients living with HIV infection in one to one interview
                       A preliminary report.
                       Dr Nitin J. Mehta. MSc, PhD, FICN, Dip in Lib Sc, & Hosp Admn.
                       Ms Shamsha Jindani, MSc, Psycho-councilor. 

The acronym AIDS first became a haunting part of the world lexicon in the 80s.Since that time HIV has grown into an epidemic that spreads to at least 10 people every minute and 5 million people every year. .An estimated 40 million people including 2.5 million children were infected since the start of epidemic .HIV growth in India is over 6 million. In Maharashtra and Mumbai over 15,000 and 6,000 cases have been registered. India continues to have low prevalence with adult HIV pegged to 0.9% of total population. NACO [National Aids Control Organization] gives first priority to preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS, provide care and support without discrimination to those infected with HIV.  The syndrome has already claimed 20 million lives and more than 6 million people need treatment according to WHO, of the last South Africa accounts for the large segment, followed by India. .Few studies have reported health values of patients with HIV infection, which assessed one’s willingness to live a shorter, healthier life and or risk a bad outcome. These subjects have been shown to exhibit a strong will live. Progression to AIDS and death was faster among heterosexual cohorts in Mumbai. It was necessary to study the aspects of life satisfaction and utility measures in these subjects.

On the basis of medical records, the non hospitalized patients were interviewed on one to one basis in a friendly atmosphere. The patients gave their impressions on health status, approach to spirituality and religion, social engagement, their relations with family, friends and change in their attitude or approach in the life after the diagnosis of HIV/AIDS.

Diagnosis by chance of HIV/AIDS of maid servant’s daughter [one of the author NJM] and subsequent discussions with few medical social workers at the hospitals led to this report .HIV infection and AIDS syndrome remain chronic, debilitating and devastating to the patients and their families. They knew that no care or vaccine is expected soon, these patients showed mixed emotions in spirituality, state of living and life satisfaction .The time trade off and standard – gamble techniques as health status instruments have not been used here .The satisfaction in life may be due to change in life style e.g., discontinuing illicit womanizing, drug/alcohol abuse and attitudes towards social services .Some other coincident events including spiritual healing , psychological counseling, help in medicine, support by NGOs and access to social services may explain improved life satisfaction. These   are potential mechanisms and better effective intervention can be designed.
Patients who participated in one to one interview. [20m/24f] 

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