Integration of mental health services into HIV healthcare facilities among Thai adolescents and young adults living with HIV

• Published in: Journal of the International AIDS Society 2021-02, Vol.24 (2), p.e25668-n/a
• Main Authors: Sudjaritruk, Tavitiya, Aurpibul, Linda, Songtaweesin, Wipaporn Natalie, Narkpongphun, Assawin, Thisayakorn, Paul, Chotecharoentanan, Tawalchaya, Nadsasarn, Rachaneekorn, Janjing, Prapaporn, Saisaengjan, Chutima, Puthanakit, Thanyawee
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome; Adolescents; Age; AIDS; AIDS/HIV; Alcohol use; Anxiety disorders; Care and treatment; Caregivers; Clinical outcomes; Clinics; Cystic fibrosis; depressive disorders; Families & family life; Health care; Health facilities; Health services; HIV; HIV patients; Human immunodeficiency virus; integrated mental health services; Medical screening; Medicine; Mental depression; Mental disorders; Mental health care; Pediatrics; psychiatric disorders; Psychiatric services; Psychological aspects; Questionnaires; Risk reduction; Sexual orientation; Sexually transmitted diseases; Sociodemographics; STD; Substance abuse treatment; suicidality; Suicides & suicide attempts; Teenagers; Urban areas; Young adults; Youth; youth living with HIV
• ISSN: 1758-2652; 1758-2652
• DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25668

Introduction To assess the burden of depression, anxiety and suicidality; and to determine the impact of integrated mental health and HIV services on treatment outcomes among Thai adolescents and young adults living with HIV (AYHIV). Methods A multicentre prospective cohort study was conducted among AYHIV (15 to 25 years), and age‐ and sex‐matched HIV‐uninfected adolescents and young adults (HUAY). The Patient Health Questionnaire 9‐item (PHQ‐9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7‐item scales (GAD‐7) were used as screening tools for depressive and anxiety symptoms respectively. History of lifetime and recent suicidal ideations/attempts were ascertained. Elevated mental health screening scores were defined as having either significant depressive symptoms (PHQ‐9 ≥9), significant anxiety symptoms (GAD‐7 ≥10) or suicidality (lifetime; and recent [within two weeks]). Participants meeting these criteria were referred to psychiatrists for confirmatory diagnosis and mental health services. Follow‐up assessment with PHQ‐9 and GAD‐7 was performed one year after psychiatric referral. Results From February to April 2018, 150 AYHIV and 150 HUAY were enrolled, median age was 19.0 (IQR:16.8 to 21.8) years and 56% lived in urban areas. Among AYHIV, 73% had HIV RNA