THE PSYCHOSOCIAL IMPACT OF HIV-INFECTION IN WOMEN

The aim of the investigation was to study the prevalence of current an d past psychiatric morbidity and psychosocial problems in HIV seroposi tive (HIV+ve) asymptomatic women. A cross-sectional controlled study i ncluding 57 HIV+ve women belonging to CDC group II and III (43 intrave nous drug users and 14 non-IVDUs heterosexuals) and 23 HIV-ve women (1 5 intravenous drug users and 8 non-IVDUs heterosexuals) is reported. O utcome measures included, past psychiatric history, current psychologi cal status (Zung Anxiety and Depression scales, Symptom Check List 90- Revised), Social Supports and Locus of Control Scales, and information on changes in work, social and sexual life after HIV testing. Results showed that HIV + ve women differed very little from HIV - ve control s regarding outcome measures and indeed for some variables HIV infecte d women had lower levels of psychological morbidity. Multiple regressi on analyses showed that alcohol misuse and a predominantly external lo cus of control accounted for the 29% of the variance of psychiatric di stress (F = 9.23, p < 0.0006). The implications of the findings are di scussed.