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Mental health of women with HIV infection: a study in Paris and London

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 April 2020

JDC Mellers ,
N Marchand-Gonod ,
M King ,
V Laupa  and
JR Smith
JDC Mellers*
Affiliation:
Academic Department of Psychiatry, Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, London NW3
N Marchand-Gonod
Affiliation:
Service de Prof M Gentilini, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié Salpêtrière, Boulevard de l'Hôpital, Paris
M King
Affiliation:
Academic Department of Psychiatry, Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, London NW3
V Laupa
Affiliation:
Service de Prof M Gentilini, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié Salpêtrière, Boulevard de l'Hôpital, Paris
JR Smith
Affiliation:
Research Fellow in Gynaecology and Genitourinary Medicine, St Mary's Hospital, Praed Street, Paddington, London W2, UK
*
*Correspondance and reprints: section of Neuropsychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London, SE3 8AF, UK
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Summary

Psychiatric morbidity was assessed in 55 HIV seropositive women who were attending either an HIV centre in Paris (n = 30) or a genitourinary clinic in London (n = 25). Demographic data and information concerning HIV disease, openness about diagnosis, counselling received, social and family support, sexual behaviour and attitudes towards fertility and pregnancy were recorded using a semi-structured interview. Moderate or severe levels of psychiatric distress were found in 60% of the women in Paris and 28% of those in London. Overall, these rates are higher than those found in comparable studies of HIV seropositive men. Psychiatric disorder was associated with a past history of intravenous drug use and older age. Over half of the women were in regular sexual relationships but safe sex precautions were frequently not used. Sixteen subjects among those of child bearing age were prepared to consider having children.

Keywords

HIVpsychiatric disorderwomen
Type
Original article
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 9 , Issue 5 , 1994 , pp. 241 - 248
Copyright
Copyright © Elsevier, Paris 1994

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