Indicadores de enfermedades mentales en pacientes mexicanos con VIH/SIDA y su relacion con la adherencia terap utica

Objective: This study analyzes the relation between mental illness indicators and therapeutic adherence in people with HIV/AIDs. Participants: 76 Mexican patients infected with HIV/AIDs. Procedure: In-depth interview to the participants in a public hospital in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Results: 80% of the sample presented indicators of mental illness: 28% antisocial behavior, 20% clinical depression, 13% Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, 12% organic psychosis and 8% intellectual disability. These results are similar to findings reported in other countries. Only 7% of the participants get a high level of therapeutic adherence. The adherence has a complex non-linear relation with the mental health status, and is related to education, the use of some strategy in order to remember medication intake, the possibility of revealing their status to family, and family support.