Psychiatric disorders among people living with HIV/AIDS in IRAN: Prevalence, severity, service utilization and unmet mental health needs

Background: HIV and psychiatric disorders are closely correlated and are accompanied by some similar risk factors.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess psychiatric comorbidity and health service utilization for mental problems among people living with HIV/AIDS in Iran.

Methods: A total of 250 cases were randomly selected from a large referral center for HIV treatment and care in Tehran, Iran. Psychiatric disorders in the past 12 months including mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders were assessed through face-to-face interview, using a validated Persian translation of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI v2.1). Severity of psychiatric disorders, social support, socio-economic status, service utilization and HIV-related indicators were assessed.

Results: Participants consisted of 147 men and 103 women. Psychiatric disorders were found in 50.2% (95% confidence interval: 43.8-56.6) of the participants. Major depressive disorder was the most prevalent diagnosis (32.1%), followed by substance use disorders (17.1%). In bivariate analysis, psychiatric disorders were significantly higher among male gender, single and unemployed individuals and those with lower social support. In multivariate regression analysis, only social support was independently associated with psychiatric disorders. Among those with a psychiatric diagnosis, 41.1% had used a health service for mental problems and 53% had received minimally adequate treatment.

Conclusion: The findings of the study highlight the importance of mental health services in the treatment of people living with HIV/AIDS.