Depression in People With HIV Often Overlooked in Africa

People living with HIV in Africa frequently suffer shame and depression, but the continent’s health care systems are ill-equipped to handle the issue; this can affect not only people’s quality of life, but also their adherence to HIV treatment regimens, according to PlusNews.

Although HIV programs focus heavily on reducing externalized stigma and discrimination of people with HIV, little is done to help them deal with their self-perception and how that might deteriorate following an HIV diagnosis. Experts have recommended integrating mental-health services into primary health care activities, ensuring a good supply of psychotropic medication and doing more research into mental health issue in Africa.

To read the PlusNews article, visit: http://www.plusnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=94410.

The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.

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