Prevalence and pattern of psychiatric morbidity among people living with human immunodeficiency virus in Kano

Abstract

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus/ Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), has remained a disease of public health concern, with the largest burden being found in sub Saharan Africa. The advent of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) has significantly reduced the mortality of the disease, thereby transforming it to a chronic disorder, with significant co-morbid psychiatric sequalae.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and pattern of psychiatric morbidity among PLWHA attending Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano.

Materials and methods: This was a cross sectional study of adult patients with HIV/AIDS attending outpatient clinic at the S.S. Wali Virology Centre of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital who gave informed consent. Systematic random sampling technique was used. Patients aged 18years and above who had been on ARV drugs for at least one year were included, while those who had a medical emergency and needed immediate attention were excluded. Socio demographic characteristics were obtained using a socio-demographic questionnaire and psychiatric morbidity was assessed with the MINI International Neuropsychiatry Interview.

Results: A total of 420 participants were recruited in the study with a male to female ratio of 1:1.5 and mean age of 40.4±10.0 years. The prevalence of a psychiatric disorder was 22.1% out of whom 5.0% had more than one psychiatric diagnosis. Major depression was the most common (11%) psychiatric disorder. Generalized Anxiety disorder, substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol abuse accounted for 7.6%, 5.5%, 2.4% and 1.7% of psychiatric disorders respectively.

Conclusion: Psychiatric disorders are common in PLWHA, with major depression being the commonest.