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A Study on Epidemiological Profile of Anxiety Disorders Among People Living with HIV/AIDS in a Sub-Saharan Africa HIV Clinic

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Abstract

The aim of this study is to find out the prevalence, types and correlates of anxiety disorders among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) attending a sub-Saharan Africa HIV clinic. Three hundred HIV positive adults were subjected to semi-structured clinical interview using the Schedule for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry to diagnose anxiety disorders in them. Additionally, a socio-demographic/clinical profile questionnaire designed for the study was administered to the study participants. The prevalence of anxiety disorders among PLWHA in this study was 21.7 %, and anxiety disorder unspecified (6.2 %), mixed anxiety-depressive disorder (5.3 %) and social phobia (4 %) among others were the subtypes of anxiety disorders elicited among the participants. Lack of family support [correlation coefficient (r) = 0.212, P < 0.001], unemployment (r = 0.168, P = 0.004) and being unmarried (r = 0.182, P = 0.002) were much more likely to be found among participants with anxiety disorders; while younger age group (r = −0.126, P = 0.039) and negative previous mental illness (r = −0.894, P = 0.021) seem protective against anxiety disorders in this study. Our findings suggest a high burden of anxiety disorders among PLWHA and up to five-folds when compared to the general population. Thus, integration of proactive mental health screening as well as treatment services with inclusion of targeted intervention for anxiety disorders among PLWHA is recommended.

Resumen

El objetivo de este estudio es conocer la prevalencia, tipos y las correlaciones de los trastornos de ansiedad entre las personas que viven con VIH / SIDA (PVVS), teniendo en cuenta a las personas que viven en una clínica de VIH en el África subsahariana. Trescientos adultos VIH positivos fueron sometidos a una entrevista semi-estructurada de la clínica con el Programa para la Evaluación Clínica en Neuropsiquiatría (SCAN) para diagnosticar los trastornos de ansiedad en ellos. Además, un cuestionario de perfil socio-demográfico/clínico diseñado para el estudio, fue entregado a los participantes. La prevalencia de los trastornos de ansiedad entre las PVVS en este estudio fue de 21.7%, y el trastorno de ansiedad no especificado (6.2%), mezcla de ansiedad-trastorno depresivo (5.3%) y la fobia social (4%), entre otros fueron los subtipos de trastornos de ansiedad suscitado entre los participantes. La falta de apoyo familiar (coeficiente de correlación [r] = 0.212, P < 0.001), el desempleo (r = 0.168, P = 0.004) y no estar casado (r = 0.182, P = 0.002) eran factores que hacían mucho más propensos a los participantes con trastornos de ansiedad. Cuanto más joven es el grupo (r = −0.126, P = 0.039), y negativa la enfermedad mental previa (r = −0.894, P = 0.021), parecen estar más protegidos contra trastornos de ansiedad según este estudio. Nuestros resultados sugieren una alta carga de los trastornos de ansiedad entre las PVVS y hasta cinco grados en comparación con la población general. Por lo tanto, se recomienda la integración de la detección proactiva de la salud mental, así como los servicios de tratamiento con la inclusión de intervenciones dirigidas a los trastornos de ansiedad entre las personas con PVVS.

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Acknowledgments

We wish to express our gratitude to Prof. AS Akanmu and the entire staff of HIV clinic of LUTH. Our profound appreciation also goes to Emmanuel Olagunju, Dr. Tunde Fadipe and Dr. Fisayo Oyekole for their roles in the translation of the abstract to Spanish Language.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, PMB 12003, Lagos, Nigeria

    Andrew T. Olagunju & Joseph D. Adeyemi

  2. Lagos University Teaching Hospital, PMB 12003, Lagos, Nigeria

    Andrew T. Olagunju, Joseph D. Adeyemi, Raphael E. Ogbolu & Elizabeth A. Campbell

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  1. Andrew T. Olagunju
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  2. Joseph D. Adeyemi
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Correspondence to Andrew T. Olagunju.

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Olagunju, A.T., Adeyemi, J.D., Ogbolu, R.E. et al. A Study on Epidemiological Profile of Anxiety Disorders Among People Living with HIV/AIDS in a Sub-Saharan Africa HIV Clinic. AIDS Behav 16, 2192–2197 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-012-0250-x

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