Life Effectiveness and Self Efficacy of HIV Infected Children

Abstract

Globally, only 38% [36–40%] of adults (15 and older) living with HIV and 24% [21–26%] of children living with HIV have access to treatment. As of 2013, 12.9 million people had access to antiretroviral therapy. HIV infection in children is a chronic illness with effect on physical, emotional and social well-being.  There is, however dearth of information on assessment of life effectiveness which includes the aspects of Quality of life in HIV infected Indian children [Das S et.al, 2010, Banerjee T, et.al 2010]. The present study was designed to assess the life effectiveness among HIV infected children who were institutionalized and non-institutionalized. The tool assessed the life effectiveness in eight dimensions like: Time Management, Social Competence, Achievement Motivation, Intellectual Flexibility, Task Leadership, Emotional Control, Active Initiative, and Self-Confidence. In this tool higher the score higher the life effectiveness and lesser the score lower the life effectiveness. General Self efficacy scale of 10 items (Matthias Jerusalem & Ralf Schwarzer, 1986) was used to assess a general sense of perceived self-efficacy with the aim in mind to predict coping with daily hassles as well as adaptation after experiencing all kinds of stressful life events. The result revealed that there was a significant difference between the two groups of HIV infected children indicated that the institutionalized children were doing better in all the dimensions of life effectiveness like: Time Management, Social Competence, Achievement Motivation, Intellectual Flexibility, Task Leadership, Emotional Control, Active Initiative, and Self-Confidence when compared with non-institutionalized children. The result also revealed a high significant difference in self efficacy among the two groups of HIV infected children indicating that the institutionalized children were having a better self efficacy when compared to children who were non-institutionalized.