Abstract
How to Integrate Mental Health and HIV Services: A Social-Ecological Approach
Highlights
Calls by the global health community to pay closer attention to the mental health needs of people living with HIV (PLHIV) have grown considerably
In one systematic review that looked at predictors of loss to follow-up (LTFU) from antiretroviral therapy (ART) among adults in sub-Saharan Africa, patients who had mental illness had higher odds of LTFU from the ART program compared to their counterparts.[2]
PLHIV often suffer from common mental disorders as they adjust to the impact of an HIV infection diagnosis; the difficulties of living life with a chronic illness; a shortened life expectancy; and the need to take medications every day, stigmatization, and loss of social support. [7]PLHIV often experience mental health issues that lead them to stop seeking or continuing health care and to be less adherent to treatment
Summary
Calls by the global health community to pay closer attention to the mental health needs of people living with HIV (PLHIV) have grown considerably. There is substantial evidence that impairment in mental health leads to negative health outcomes for PLHIV at each step in the care continuum, starting with diagnosis and extending to achieving viral suppression.[1] In one systematic review that looked at predictors of loss to follow-up (LTFU) from antiretroviral therapy (ART) among adults in sub-Saharan Africa, patients who had mental illness had higher odds of LTFU from the ART program compared to their counterparts.[2] Currently, there are very few health services in low-to-middle income countries (LMICs) that address the needs of people managing the co-occurrence of HIV and mental health.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health Reports
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
