Adherence to antiretroviral therapy in people living with HIV with moderate or severe mental disorder

Conclusion

Our study, which investigated a population affected by a double burden of diseases in a socially vulnerable population that had high prevalence of behavioral disorders related to substance and alcohol abuse, co-infections, and suicidal ideation, reinforces the importance of priority action for the most vulnerable populations. We found homelessness, substance abuse, and irregular medical follow-ups (mental health and infectious disease) to be associated with poor ART adherence.Mental illness seems to have greatly affected the adherence of people living with HIV, and there must be an improvement in the availability and quality of services aimed at this population. Without adherence to antiretroviral therapy, these patients will have higher morbidity and mortality and will overload services. Our findings can help influence the strategic actions and integrations of healthcare teams, while highlighting the importance of developing innovative approaches to solve complex problem faced by those with combined mental health and infectious disease demands. We are challenged to prioritize projects and implement policies aimed at protecting these vulnerable populations.

Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-30451-z