Defining mental health needs for black patients with AIDS in Alameda County

This study examines the impact of race and psychiatric symptomatology on the treatment of black patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The study consisted of two parts: 1) focused group discussions with AIDS health professionals, and 2) a retrospective chart review of 44 hospitalized AIDS patients. The group discussions revealed that there are specific gaps in mental health services for all AIDS patients and that psychiatric and medical services must be delivered in an ethnically sensitive manner to be effective with black patients. The chart review revealed no statistically significant difference between black and white patients in terms of prevalence of psychiatric symptoms. The results of this study suggest that ethnically sensitive psychiatric diagnosis and treatment may have important clinical implications in the long-term management of black patients with AIDS.