HIV, Mental Health and Refugees
- Author:
Xavier V. Pereira
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
HIV;
mental health
- From:Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine
2012;12(Supplement 1):24-24
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Persons with HIV infection are vulnerable to mental health problems. The most common mental health problems among those infected with HIV are Depressive Disorders and Anxiety Disorders. HIV infection can also have direct effects on the central nervous system resulting in neuropsychiatric consequences like HIV encephalopathy, depression, mania, cognitive disorder and dementia. Substance use disorders are also common co-morbid conditions present among HIV infected persons.
Refugees and asylum seekers are at a greater risk to develop mental health problems compared to the general population. Depressive Disorders, Anxiety Disorders and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder are commonly detected among refugees who seek health care. Thus being a refugee and also being infected by HIV increases the risk of developing mental health problems.
Mental health problems have implications on treatment seeking behaviours and treatment adherence. There is a reluctance to report psychological distress because of the stigma associated with psychiatric illnesses especially for HIV infected individuals who are already living with the stigma of HIV. The lack of skill of many health care professionals in detecting psychological symptoms also impacts on the making of diagnoses of psychiatric disorders in this population of patients. These factors are of importance because mental health issues have a negative impact on treatment adherence.
This presentation will aim to explore mental health issues pertinent to refugees who are infected by HIV utilizing a few case studies.
