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International Journal of Mental Health Systems
Published in: International Journal of Mental Health Systems 1/2018

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Study Protocol

Common mental disorders and psychological adjustment among individuals seeking HIV testing: a study protocol to explore implications for mental health care systems

Authors: Jason Bantjes, Ashraf Kagee

Published in: International Journal of Mental Health Systems | Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

Background

In an effort to promote greater access to voluntary counseling and testing for HIV, it has become practice in many countries, including South Africa, to establish non-medical testing sites and to de-couple HIV testing from other medical and mental health care services. While it is well established that HIV infection is associated with a range of psychopathology, much of the literature has assumed that it is receipt of an HIV positive diagnosis that causes people to become depressed, traumatized, or develop other psychiatric symptoms. Empirical data about the baseline psychiatric condition and mental health care needs of persons seeking HIV testing is scarce. Understanding the psychological health of persons seeking HIV testing and documenting how psychiatric symptoms develop over time following receipt of an HIV positive diagnosis, has important implications for mental health care systems.

Methods

We describe a study protocol to investigate: (1) the level of psychological distress and the prevalence of common mental disorders among persons seeking HIV testing; (2) the longitudinal development of psychiatric symptoms among persons diagnosed with HIV; and (3) the recommendations that can be made for mental health care systems to support persons seeking HIV testing and those newly diagnosed with HIV. In this longitudinal study quantitative and qualitative data are collected to document participants’ psychiatric symptoms, to determine whether they meet diagnostic criteria for a common mental disorder, and to explore the lived experiences of persons receiving an HIV positive test result. Data are collected at three time points; before HIV testing, and then again at 6 and 12 months post-testing.

Discussion

Documenting the prevalence of common mental disorders among persons seeking HIV testing, and tracking the psychosocial support needs, psychological adjustment and psychosocial experiences of persons newly diagnosed with HIV, has important implications for the delivery of mental health care services and the design of integrated mental health care systems.
Footnotes
1
Common mental disorders are defined, for the purposes of this study, as psychiatric conditions which are most frequently associated with HIV infection. These include depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma-related disorders, and substance use disorders.
 
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Metadata
Title
Common mental disorders and psychological adjustment among individuals seeking HIV testing: a study protocol to explore implications for mental health care systems
Authors
Jason Bantjes
Ashraf Kagee
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
International Journal of Mental Health Systems / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1752-4458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-018-0196-0

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