Psychiatric Disorders Among People Living With HIV/AIDS Attending Outpatient Clinics At University Of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

Abstract

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection has been associated with development of psychiatric disorders in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). These disorders could occur at any stage of the disease. The presence of these psychiatric disorders may affect the adherence to the use of anti-retroviral medications as well as quality of life of the affected individuals.

The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence and types of psychiatric disorders among people living with HIV/AIDS attending clinics at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria.

A descriptive cross sectional study of 300 consenting PLWHA was carried out during which their socio-demographic and clinical information was obtained. Diagnoses of psychiatric disorders were made using Mini International Neuropsychiatric interview (MINI) based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV).

The prevalence of psychiatric disorders in the study population was found to be 38.3%. Mood disorders accounted for 78.3% of psychiatric disorders (Major Depressive Disorder 52.2%; Dysthymia 26.1%), Anxiety disorders 15.6% (Panic disorder 6.1%; Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 5.2%; Social Phobia 4.3%), Schizophrenia 5.2% and Alcohol dependence 0.9%.

In conclusion, a high proportion of PLWHA had clinical psychiatric disorders. Efforts aimed at reducing the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity in the study population are therefore urgently required.

KEY WORDS: Psychiatric disorders; People living with HIV/AIDS.