Psychiatric morbidity among human immunodeficiency virus test seekers attending the integrated counseling and testing center facility of a tertiary care hospital in South India

Abstract

Background: Testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has become a mandatory and routine regimen for various reasons. Literature suggests that the level of psychiatric morbidity is high among HIV-infected individuals. However, often psychiatric problems are undetected and untreated among these people and this is possible by the simple measure of screening when these people contact a health-care facility such as an integrated counseling and testing center (ICTC). The paucity of published data in this arena necessitates exploring the facts related to this issue. Hence, this study was aimed to identify the psychiatric morbidity among people undergoing HIV testing by a screening method. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was carried out among 384 individuals, those who were undergoing HIV testing at an ICTC facility of a tertiary care hospital in South India. They were assessed for psychiatric morbidity by a structured clinical diagnostic interview using mini international neuropsychiatric interview. Those people who were identified as having psychiatric problem were referred to psychiatric clinic for further management. Results: The mean age of the patients was 40 (±13.27) years and the males ( n = 254, 66.1%) predominated than the females ( n = 130, 33.9%). Psychiatric illness was identified in many patients ( n = 91, 24%) including major depressive disorder ( n = 64, 16.7%), suicidal ideas ( n = 31, 8%), panic disorder ( n = 26, 6.8%), and substance abuse ( n = 15, 3.9%). Conclusion: The findings imply the need to integrate screening and referral services for the people undergoing HIV testing. Early screening of psychiatric morbidity among individuals utilizing the ICTC facility may help identify and treat the illness at an early stage.

Awareness and knowledge of integrated counselling and testing centres (ICTC) counsellors about depression among people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV): A descriptive study from Karnataka

“…[ 21 ] In addition, the shortage of trained mental health professionals also contributes PLIHIV’s burden in low and middle-income countries. [ 22 ] As the prevalence of depression is relatively high among PLHIV,[ 23 ] it is necessary to use the service of ICTC counsellors to address the mental health problems of PLHIV. Our study showed that counsellors’ understanding is in line with the existing research findings that mental health problems such as CMDs, posttraumatic stress disorder, alcoholism, and depression are common among PLHIV.…”