Psychological Disorders among Human Immunodeficiency Virus-infected Adults in Southern Nigeria

Abstract

Persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) have been reported to be more at risk of developing mental illness than the general population. A cross  sectional study was carried out to evaluate psychological symptoms of  PLWHA. A total of one hundred and thirteen persons living with HIV/AIDS (M= 43, F=70) with an age range of 21-65 years X=38.00±9.68  participated in the study. Paranoid ideation, Depression, Neuroticism, Interpersonal sensitivity and Anxiety were the most common  psychopathologic symptoms. Women reported a higher proportion of psychopathology compared to men on all subscales. There was no  significant statistical difference between the age groups on all symptoms evaluated. Single PLWHA in this study had a higher tendency towards  psychopathology compared to the married or widowed. The  psychopathological proportion of symptoms reported by PLWHA in this study calls for concern. Mental health screening and psychological  intervention thus remains imperative in the care of PLWHA in Nigeria. Afr J Reprod Health 2013 (Special Edition); 17[4]: 177-182).

Keywords: Psychological disorders, HIV/AIDS, Southern Nigeria.