Psychological disorders among human immunodeficiency virus-infected adults in southern Nigeria.

Persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) have been reported to be more at risk of developing mental illness than the general population. A cross sectional study was carried out to evaluate psychological symptoms of PLWHA. A total of one hundred and thirteen persons living with HIV/AIDS (M = 43, F = 70) with an age range of 21-65 years X = 38.00 +/- 9.68 participated in the study. Paranoid ideation, Depression, Neuroticism, Interpersonal sensitivity and Anxiety were the most common psychopathologic symptoms. Women reported a higher proportion of psychopathology compared to men on all subscales. There was no significant statistical difference between the age groups on all symptoms evaluated. Single PLWHA in this study had a higher tendency towards psychopathology compared to the married or widowed. The psychopathological proportion of symptoms reported by PLWHA in this study calls for concern. Mental health screening and psychological intervention thus remains imperative in the care of PLWHA in Nigeria.