Effect of Rational Emotive Health Therapy on Alcohol Use Among Community-dwelling, HIV-positive Patients. Issue 35 (August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Omeje, Joachim Chinweike; Otu, Mkpoikanke Sunday; Aneke, Anthonia Olunwa; Adikwu, Victoria Ogwa; Nwaubani, Okechukwu O.; Chigbu, Eberechukwu Francisca; Onuigbo, Liziana N.; Udom, Inwang Etim; Aye, Eucharia Nchedo; Akaneme, Immaculata Nwakaego; Egeonu, Doris Chika; Ezema, Victor Sunday; Okpanachi, Gabriel Ochaka; Ohabuenyi, Abah George; Eseadi, Chiedu; Eze, Ngozi Mary
• Other Names: Tusconi. Massimo section editor.
• Is Part Of: Medicine. Volume 97:Issue 35(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-08
• Subjects: alcohol use -- community-dwelling human immunodeficiency virus–positive patients -- Rational Emotive Health Therapy; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine -- Périodiques; Geneeskunde; Medicine; Periodicals; Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000011688
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-7974

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Patients who have tested positive for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and who also experience alcohol use disorder (AUD) symptoms have worse clinical outcomes when compared with those who do not have AUD symptoms. The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of rational emotive health therapy (REHT) on AUD among community-dwelling, HIV-positive patients in the Southeastern region of Nigeria. Methods: The research design included a pretest/post-test control group with a total of 124 community-dwelling, HIV-positive patients with AUD symptoms participating in the study. The measures employed for data collection included Alcohol-related Irrational Beliefs Scale (AIBS) and Alcohol Use Disorder Scale (AUDS). Repeated measures analysis of variance was used for statistical analysis. Results: The result obtained at the initial assessment indicated that AUD was severe. Furthermore, REHT intervention led to a significant reduction in AUD symptoms, as shown by a reduction in AUDS and AIBS scores with time in the treatment group compared to those in the waitlist control group after the intervention. Also, the effect of REHT was positively maintained in the treatment group participants at follow-up assessment. Conclusion: The presence of HIV symptoms alone does not cause HIV-positive patients to be dependent on alcohol; rather, irrational beliefs about the infection may contribute to unhealthy feelings and abuse of alcohol. Rational emotive health therapy is an effective approach that can be employed by therapists and health counselors in helping HIV-positive patients to think rationally about themselves and work to be able to overcome HIV-related, as well as alcohol-related, irrational beliefs. Abstract : Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text