An Examination of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Among Women Living With HIV (WLHIV) [15OP

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study is to quantify the prevalence of PTSD in WLHIV in a high risk population. WLHIV have a prevalence of PTSD that is five time higher than in the general population. A diagnosis of PTSD in WLHIV is associated with poor antiretroviral treatment (ART) adherence, alcohol dependence, and negative health outcomes. METHODS: 369 WLHIV were recruited from April 2006 to July 2010 from the Johns Hopkins HIV Clinic in Baltimore, MD. The Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM IV (SCID) was used to determine psychiatric diagnoses. All participants were categorized as having: no trauma, trauma, or PTSD. SCIDS were processed using double blind coding. We controlled for age, race, and illicit drug use. RESULTS: The majority of women experienced at least one trauma (82.3%). About half of the study sample met criteria for lifetime PTSD (43.1%) and 20% met criteria for current PTSD (19.9%). The most common traumas were rape (39.3%), physical assault (28.7%), and seeing violence (17.1%). One third of all rapes occurred before the age of 17 (34.7%). Molestation was also prominent in this sample with 10.8% reporting inappropriate sexual conduct under the age of 15. Major depressive disorder (MDD) was the most frequent co-morbid psychiatric diagnosis (lifetime MDD= 48.6%; current MDD=12.3%). CONCLUSION: Findings from this study demonstrate the need for PTSD and trauma screening in the integrative treatment of WLHIV for better health outcomes and the avoidance of behaviors that negatively impact health and longevity.