title: [Psychosocial aspects on the treatment of HIV-infection].
abstract: Psychological and social factors have a deep impact on the treatment of HIV-infection, from the readiness to start antiretroviral therapy to treatment adherence over time. Among psychological factors, anxiety may affect HIV-infected persons in all stages of disease, from the disclosure of HIV diagnosis to the decision to start and maintain treatment. This is a lifelong challenge for both patients and doctors. Psychiatric comorbidities (depression, addiction) may enhance negative psychological effects of HIV. Among social factors, stigma and discrimination may occur in families and at work, leading to a loss of social support resulting in isolation and poverty. This may prevent HIV-positive individuals from seeking medical care. These aspects are particularly important in some groups of patients as injecting drug users and migrants. Acknowledgment and consideration of psychosocial factors are therefore essential for the long term success of antiretroviral therapy.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Infektiologie und Spitalhygiene, Universitätsspital Basel.
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Battegay
authors.affiliation: Positivrat, Bern.
authors.forename: David Hans-U
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Haerry
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Infektionskrankheiten und Spitalhygiene, Universitätsspital Zürich.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fehr
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Infektiologie und Spitalhygiene, Inselspital Bern und Institut für Sozial- und Präventivmedizin, Universität Bern.
authors.forename: Cornelia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Staehelin
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Infektiologie und Spitalhygiene, Inselspital Bern und Institut für Sozial- und Präventivmedizin, Universität Bern.
authors.forename: Gilles
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wandeler
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Infektiologie und Spitalhygiene, Universitätsspital Basel.
authors.forename: Luigia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Elzi
mesh_terms: D000349:Africa / Q000208:ethnology; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D055118:Medication Adherence; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology; D011287:Prejudice; D057545:Social Stigma; D013557:Switzerland; D014171:Transients and Migrants / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents