Prevalence Of Hiv Among Patients With Mental Illness Admitted At Kiu-th Psychiatry Department

ABSTRACT Background: Mental illness accounts for 12.5% of the global burden of disease, this is expected to rise to 15% by 2020 by which depression will disable more people with HIV/ AIDS. Thus, this study was intended to determine the prevalence of HIV among patients with mental illness admitted at KIU-TH psychiatry department. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed. Data was collected using a pretested questionnaire and reviewed clinical files of Patients admitted on the ward during the time of the study who consented to participate in the study. Data was analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25.0. descriptive statistics were presented in tables and charts. Results: Nearly half of the participants (44%) were aged 26-30) years and the mean age was 28.4±5.5 SD years. Majority (70%) were females, were unemployed (80%) and had education level of primary and below (70%). HIV prevalence was 12%. Half of the HIV positive participants (50%) were aged 25 years and below and all were unemployed. Majority (83.3%) of HIV positive participants were diagnosed with Bipolar affective disorder. Conclusion and recommendations: Persons admitted for psychiatric illness in KIU-TH have higher HIV prevalence than persons in the Ugandan general population. HIV treatment programs should take into account the high burden of mental illness among persons with HIV, and integrate mental health assessments and interventions with routine HIV care. Further, given that most mental ill patients in Uganda may not be reached solely relying on the limited mental health services available, research should identify effective community-based interventions, potentially including social protection and stigma reduction components, tailored for vulnerable population.