Psychiatric disorders among the HIV-positive population in Nigeria: a control study

This article estimates the point prevalence of psychiatric disorders in a sample of HIV-positive subjects in Nigeria in comparison with normal HIV-negative controls and evaluates the possible sociodemographic and clinical correlates of psychiatric disorders in HIV-positive subjects.

HIV-positive subjects (n=88) and HIV-negative healthy controls (n=87) were assessed for their current diagnosis of DSM-IV psychiatric disorders via the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Sociodemographic and clinical details were also obtained.

The rate of psychiatric disorders in subjects with HIV was 59.1% compared to 19.5% in subjects without HIV infection [odds ratio (OR)=5.95, 95% confidence interval (CI)=3.02-11.75]. The subjects with HIV had significantly higher rates of affective disorders (OR=3.58, 95% CI=1.44-8.94), anxiety disorders (OR=3.57, 95% CI=1.65-7.72), and psychotic disorders (OR=1.10, 95% CI=1.01-1.12) than healthy controls. The factors significantly associated with psychiatric disorders include poor level of social support and stage of the disease.

Psychiatric disorders are common in our Nigerian subjects with HIV, and the rates are significantly higher when compared to the healthy general population. Proactive identification and treatment of mental disorders should be integrated into HIV intervention policies in this region.