World News

Compiled by Martin Flynn

Mental Health: 80 per cent face depression

As many as 80 per cent of HIV positive people suffer from depression, according to a recent US study reported at this summer’s AIDS Impact Conference in Marseilles.

British AIDS activist and journalist Michael Carter told the meeting of the link between mental health and HIV.Toxicities and side effects to HIV medications, such as lipodystrophy and sexual dysfunction, make the situation worse for people living long-term with the disease, he said.

Sexual dysfunction is known to affect up to 70 per cent of people living with HIV, Mr Carter claimed, and in 2000 at one major London clinic, 13 per cent of all referrals were due to sexual dysfunction.
Depression is a major reason why people not only have unsafe sex, but also why they do not get tested or do not take their medications.High rates of undiagnosed depression among people with HIV has a deep impact on both mental health and HIV drug adherence.Stigma and discrimination by society as a whole is still present, he said, and the culture of blame puts more pressure of HIV positive individuals.

“People are becoming more prejudiced against people with HIV than ever before,” Mr Carter added, “even within the gay community.”

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