RESUMO
Comprehensive prenatal care for HIV-infected women in the United States involves addressing mental health needs. Retrospective quantitative data are presented from HIV-infected pregnant women (n = 45) who reported childhood sexual or physical abuse (66%), abuse in adulthood by a sexual partner (25%), and abuse during pregnancy (10%). Depression and anxiety were the most commonly reported psychological symptoms; more than half of the sample reported symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including HIV-related PTSD (PTSD-HIV). There was a strong association between depression and PTSD as well as between anxiety and PTSD-HIV. The majority of infants received zidovudine at birth and continued the recommended regimen. All but one infant were determined to be noninfected. Women improved their CD4(+) T cell counts and HIV RNA viral loads while in prenatal care. Results support the need for targeted prenatal programs to address depression, anxiety, substance use, and trauma in HIV-infected women.
Assuntos
Sobreviventes Adultos de Maus-Tratos Infantis/psicologia , Infecções por HIV/psicologia , Gestantes/psicologia , Maus-Tratos Conjugais/psicologia , Transtornos de Estresse Pós-Traumáticos/complicações , Transtornos de Estresse Pós-Traumáticos/psicologia , Adulto , Depressão/psicologia , Feminino , Florida , Humanos , Acontecimentos que Mudam a Vida , Transtornos Mentais/psicologia , Transtornos Mentais/terapia , Saúde Mental , Gravidez , Cuidado Pré-Natal , Escalas de Graduação Psiquiátrica , Estudos Retrospectivos , Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Substâncias/complicações , Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Substâncias/psicologia , Estados UnidosRESUMO
This study describes the prevalence of abuse and mental health issues among a cohort of HIV-infected Haitian women living in the United States. We present data on 96 women, ages 19-73 years (M = 47.6, SD = 11.1), who were screened for mental health concerns between 2009 and 2012. Results demonstrated that 12.5% of the women reported a history of abuse. However, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) secondary to HIV was reported by approximately 34% of women. Depression and anxiety were also highly reported, with rates of 49% and 43%, respectively. Women who reported a history of abuse were more likely to report anxiety, PTSD, and PTSD related to HIV symptoms than those without. Our findings suggest that Haitian HIV-infected women may underreport abuse and experience significant depression and anxiety. These preliminary results could be used to develop future studies and to design and implement culturally sensitive interventions for this underserved population.
