Acceptance of Illness, Type of Illness and Psychological Distress among Terminally-Ill Patients in Makurdi Metropolis

Abstract

Terminally-ill patients are faced with complex and psychological challenges which are a threat to public health world-wide, affecting men, women and children. Feelings of pervasive helplessness and non-acceptance of illness has been observed to increase terminal-ill patient's suicidal risk and quest to hasten death. The study used a correlational research design to examined acceptance of Illness, Type of Illness and Psychological Distress among Terminally-Ill Patients in Makurdi metropolis. Multi-stage (quota & convenience) sampling technique was used to select one hundred and ninety-one (191) patients; 64 (33.5%) males and 127 (66.5%) females. Two standard instruments, Illness Cognition Questionnaire (ICQ) and The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were used to collect data. Three hypotheses were tested using correlation, ANOVA and multiple regression. The finding indicated a significant positive relationship between Acceptance of Illness and Psychological Distress (r = .176, P<.05). Also, type of illness significantly differs on psychological distress F (2,172) = 3.352, P<.05. The third finding showed a significant joint influence of acceptance of illness and type of illness on psychological distress R=.226, R²=.051 F (2,170)= 4.575; P<.05. It was concluded that acceptance of illness enhance psychological distress and patients who suffered from HIV/AIDS were more psychologically distressed than patients with Diabetes and Cancer. It was recommended that the Government through the Ministry of Health and Non-Governmental Organization (NGOs) should organize workshops and seminars on the impact of acceptance and type of illness as it affect the psychological well-being of terminally-ill patients in Makurdi metropolis.