Parenting styles and emotional intelligence of HIV-affected children in Thailand

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of parenting styles on emotional intelligence of HIV-affected children in Thailand. This study uses data from 205 HIV-affected children in northern and northeastern Thailand. Correlation and regression analyses were used to examine the predictors of emotional intelligence. Children reporting higher levels of stress reported less caring parenting style (standardized beta [B]=?0.18, p=0.050). Children with higher self-esteem were also more likely to perceive their parents as caring (B=0.48, p=0.002). Children who scored lower on their self-esteem reported their parents to be more overprotective (B=?0.30, p=0.030), and children reporting higher levels of stress reported their parents to be more overprotective (B=0.12, p=0.010). Children reporting caring parenting style were significantly more likely to report higher emotional intelligence (B=0.66, p=0.001). Parenting styles play an important role in the emotional intelligence. Identifying and testing interventions to help parents improve their parenting styles, while helping their HIV-affected children cope with stress and self-esteem, are essential in promoting mental health of HIV-affected children in Thailand.     

Psychological factors associated with protected sex among indirect female sex workers in Denpasar,Bali, Indonesia

ABSTRACT

A cross-sectional study was conducted among indirect FSWs (a type of FSWs who provide sex services under the cover of entertainment or recreational enterprises) in Denpasar, Bali from August to October 2017 to investigate factors associated with protected sex with clients using the Health Belief Model (HBM) framework. The protected sex as a dependent variable was identified through self-reported consistency in using condoms with clients in the last month. Independent variables consisted of six HBM constructs and three main groups of modifying factors (personal, sex work, and interventional factors). Binary logistic regression was employed to identify the determinants. The prevalence of protected sex with clients in last month was 50.17% (95%CI?=?41.50–80.83). Indirect FSWs were more likely to use condoms consistently if they completed senior high school or higher. Meanwhile, those working in a karaoke lounge, bar, or café were less likely to have protected sex than those in a massage parlour, spa, or beauty salon. Based on HBM, an increase of one-score of these following constructs increased likelihood of protected sex: perceived susceptibility, self-efficacy, and cues to action. Low protected sex among indirect FSWs indicates the need for public health interventions at individual, interpersonal, and institutional level.     

Improving the health and mental health of people living with HIV/AIDS: 12-month assessment of a behavioral intervention in Thailand

Objectives. We examined findings from a randomized controlled intervention trial designed to improve the quality of life of people living with HIV in Thailand.Methods. A total of 507 people living with HIV were recruited from 4 district hospitals in northern and northeastern Thailand and were randomized to an intervention group (n = 260) or a standard care group (n = 247). Computer-assisted personal interviews were administered at baseline and at 6 and 12 months.Results. At baseline, the characteristics of participants in the intervention and standard care conditions were comparable. The mixed-effects models used to assess the impact of the intervention revealed significant improvements in general health (B = 2.51; P = .001) and mental health (B = 1.57; P = .02) among participants in the intervention condition over 12 months and declines among those in the standard care condition.Conclusions. Our results demonstrate that a behavioral intervention was successful in improving the quality of life of people living with HIV. Such interventions must be performed in a systematic, collaborative manner to ensure their cultural relevance, sustainability, and overall success.People living with HIV/AIDS in Thailand face multiple challenges, including coping with HIV-related disclosure and stigma and maintaining positive family relationships. HIV disclosure has been identified as a key stressor for people living with HIV in Thailand^1–3; when patients do not disclose their serostatus, their odds of becoming depressed increase 3-fold.⁴ Disclosure is also a key issue among Thai HIV support groups.⁵ Once individuals disclose their serostatus to their partners and family members, treatment becomes a challenge for the entire family.In addition to disclosure, it is necessary to address stigma as an HIV-related stressor. We have documented a high level of perceived stigma in Thailand and associations with other conditions, including a significant association between stigma and depression.⁶ People living with HIV in Thailand also face challenges with respect to maintaining general health routines,⁷ including medical visits, prophylactic treatment of symptoms (e.g., hepatitis C virus, pneumonia, tuberculosis),⁸ adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART),⁹ knowledge of the course of their disease, and effective communication with doctors.By contrast, other factors have been shown to have a positive effect on management of HIV. For example, Thailand is a strongly family-oriented society, and typical Thai families are tightly knit. Therefore, family social support may help people living with HIV increase their adherence to ART and decrease their risk of depression.^9,10 Parents of children living with HIV need information about how their children may respond to their illness, how to parent children while dealing with their own illness, how to maintain positive family routines, and how to generate positive parental bonds with their children. Knowledge in such areas is hypothesized to improve patients’ quality of life and their children''s long-term adjustment.^11–13Past behavioral interventions in Thailand have framed HIV as an individual stressor for people living with the disease.^14,15 To address the multiple negative and positive factors faced by people living with HIV and their families in Thailand, we conducted a randomized controlled intervention trial in the northern and northeastern areas of the country. On the basis of the work of Rotheram-Borus et al.,^13,16–21 we identified common factors, processes, and principles shared across evidence-based interventions^22–24 and adapted them to address the specific needs of people living with HIV in Thailand. Here we describe findings based on data collected at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months to assess the efficacy of a cognitive-based intervention designed to improve the quality of life of people living with HIV.