Prevalence of HIV, Hepatitis B, Syphilis, and Chlamydia Among Adults Seeking Treatment for a Mental Disorder in Southern India

Abstract

This study estimated the prevalence, and identified the correlates, of HIV, chlamydia, syphilis, and Hepatitis B among patients seeking treatment for a mental disorder in India. Patients (n = 948) submitted a blood sample for serologic testing and participated in a brief interview. Lifetime prevalence rates were nearly 2% for HIV, 10% for chlamydia, 3% for Hepatitis B, and 3% for syphilis; 15% of patients had evidence of at least one infection. Bivariate associations between infection status and patient characteristics, including age, gender, psychiatric diagnosis, did not reveal any consistent risk profile. Instead, behavioral characteristics (i.e., multiple partners, exchanging sex for money, and engagement in anal sex) were associated with infection status. Recommendations for the sexual health care of psychiatric patients in India are provided.

Depression and Its Relation with HIV Risk and Social Well-Being among the Brothel-Based Female Sex Workers in Kolkata, India

“…Minor and who are unable to communicate verbally were excluded from the study Sample Frame: 10,100 (from the Register) Expected prevalence rate of HIV was taken as 12.5%, based on which Sample Size was calculated as 400 [taking into the Confidence level=99.99% and Confidence interval=±6. 30] Sample size was adjusted upward to allow for non-response and other factors. Incorporating 5% for possible non-participation and 5% for non-respondent the adjusted sample size turns out to be 440.…”

“…Few studies have examined the influence of depression on HIV risk in India. HIV prevalence is observed to range between 2% to 3% among people with depression, compared to 0.7% prevalence in the general population in India [30]. Sahay et al, [31] found that Indians who are engaged in high-risk behavior are almost 3 times more likely to be depressed and anxious.…”

Barriers of HIV testing among mentally ill persons in mental healthcare settings

“…In a general hospital setting in South of India, HIV infection rate was 1.03% compared to the national seroprevalence rate of 0.7% [8][9][10][11][12]. HIV prevalence of 1.7% has been reported among psychiatric inpatients [13]. The predominant risk behavior among psychiatric patients in India is unprotected heterosexual intercourse, which is the most common mode of disease transmission in the country [14][15][16].…”

Gender and Age Disparities in the Prevalence of Chlamydia Infection Among Sexually Active Adults in the United States

“…[1][2][3][4][5] Recent technological advances have facilitated early detection and treatment of CT infections. 2,4,[6][7][8][9] If left untreated, a CT infection may have severe consequences for infected people and their sexual partners as well as adverse pregnancy outcomes. 1,7,10 Health problems that have been attributed to CT infections include HIV=AIDS, infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ectopic pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain, and testicular and prostate infections.…”

“…2,4,[6][7][8][9] If left untreated, a CT infection may have severe consequences for infected people and their sexual partners as well as adverse pregnancy outcomes. 1,7,10 Health problems that have been attributed to CT infections include HIV=AIDS, infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ectopic pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain, and testicular and prostate infections. 1 Vertical transmission of CT and other related STIs may also cause poor outcomes for newborn infants.…”