However there is a lack of such research in SA as well as in other developing countries. Aids treatment initiatives has yet to include mental healthcare.
Dr Soraya Seedat from the Stellenbosch University, says: "It has changed the way in which we address treatment and I think psychiatrists have become even more aware of issues of informed consent, voluntary counselling, and testing in his population, particularly because they are vulnerable and their psychological state is already compromised."
According to the South African Society of Psychiatrists HIV is changing the face of psychiatry but even in this year's International Aids Conference, the mentally ill living with HIV/Aids was not high up on the agenda. However this is soon expected to change with their growing numbers soon demanding the attention of government and Aids activist groups.
Source: Medindia
NLA
