Age difference in rates of mental health/substance abuse and behavioral care in HIV-positive adults

Abstract

This study aims to investigate age differences in rates of mental health/substance abuse and behavioral health treatment in HIV-positive adults. One-hundred and nine HIV-positive adults (21-88 years old) were recruited from the University of Pennsylvania Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) infectious disease clinics. Each subject participated in a 3-hour comprehensive behavioral/psychosocial interview. Over half of the sample displayed significant mental health and substance abuse symptoms, of which approximately a third were actively participating in behavioral health care. Major depression and illicit drug use appeared to be the most prevalent syndromes. However, individuals with mania and psychosis were most likely to be participating in behavioral health treatment, while individuals with at-risk drinking and illicit drug use were least likely to be participating in treatment. Furthermore, older-aged adults were less likely to be receiving behavioral health care when there was evidence of need. The findings of this investigation generally concluded that HIV-positive adults, especially older-aged adults, are in need of improved behavioral health management for mental health/substance abuse.