Prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder in HIV-positive women and its’ related factors in an Iranian setting

Introduction: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is one of the most important human issues regarding health, social, and economic aspects. Possibility of being infected by the virus in women is as twice large compared to their male counterparts. Diagnosis of HIV disease could be a traumatic event leading to the onset and development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which itself has many negative consequences. Hence, the aim of this study was to examine the prevalence and factors associated with PTSD in HIV patients to improve their care. Material and methods: This study was a cross-sectional study carried out in AIDS Research Center, Clinic and Gynecology Ward, Imam Khomeini Hospital, during 2018-2019. Participants were selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected using two questionnaires, including Mississippi scale and demographic questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16. Results: In this research, the mean score of PTSD in HIV-positive women was 100.45 (± 21.86), with 44.5% (134 individuals) suffering from PTSD. Also, death of a family member, infertility history, housing status, history of violence, type and number of delivery, children’s affection, education level, and history of imprisonment had the most significant association in HIV-positive women at 95% confidence level. Conclusions: The results of this study highlighted the need to prioritize psychological (death of a family member and history of violence), economic and social (housing status), and medical needs (infertility history, childbirth, and status of children’s HIV infection) of HIV-positive women who are experiencing various factors causing PTSD.