Psychoimmunology and Hiv/Aids: Implications For Care in Women in Nigeria

Abstract

Biopsychosocial approaches have been advocated in the caring for persons with AIDS. These approaches are based on clinical and empirical observations of the importance of psychosocial factors in the course of HIV disease. Evidence suggests that psychosocial factors have a significant and marked effect on women infected with HIV. In the face of documented empirical evidence of the psychosocial impact of HIV on women, this article briefly reviews the psychoimmunologic course of HIV infection in women and discusses possible treatment regimen options, which may be important to health care workers in meeting the mental health needs of infected women and improving their quality of life.


(Gender & Behaviour: 2003 1: 72-82)