Prevalence and specific psychosocial factors associated with substance use and psychiatric morbidity among patients with HIV infection at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto State, Nigeria

Abstract

In this study we set out to determine the prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders among HIV infected persons, prevalence of substance use among these patients, effect of active and inactive use of substance on drug compliance and clinic attendance, and psychosocial correlates of substance use among these patients. This cross sectional study was conducted among patients who had been diagnosed with HIV disease in a teaching hospital in Sokoto, Nigeria. A questionnaire relating to socio-demographic variables, substance use and psychiatric morbidity was administered to the patients. Information obtained were analyzed using SPSS version 11 with the test of significance set at p<0.05. Our study showed that more male patients used substance than the female patients. In addition, the presence of psychiatric morbidity and substance use had implications for clinic attendance and drug compliance. In the overall management of HIV infected patients, regular screening for substance use and psychiatric morbidity should be carried out and referrals made appropriately.