AEGiS-15IAC: Suicide concerns and HIV among London gay men in the post HAART era.

15th International AIDS Conference

Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

Suicide concerns and HIV among London gay men in the post HAART era.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. MoOrD1030)

Sherr L, Bolding G, Davis M, Hart G, Elford J
RUFCM, AIDSCare, London, United Kingdom

BACKGROUND: Pre HAART HIV infection was associated with an increased suicide burden. This ranged from a 3-fold to 36-fold increase depending on the study. Little is known about the impact of new treatments for HIV on suicidal ideation in those infected or most at risk of infection.

METHODS: In 2002-03 confidential questionnaires were completed by 523 HIV positive gay male London clinic attenders. Data were also collected in community settings in London 2001-03 (N=2245, HIV+ve 353, HIV -ve 1419, untested 473). Questions were included to explored suicidal ideation, HIV treatments and sexual risk behaviour.

RESULTS: Suicidal ideation in the clinic sample was 21.9%. Suicidal ideation was not associated with being on HAART, having undetectable viral load, drug or alcohol use, sexual risk behaviour, or length of time since HIV diagnosis. It was associated with unemployment (33% v 15%, p<0.001) and other social factors. In the community sample suicidal ideation remained constant over time at 13%. HIV positive men consistently reported higher rates of suicidal ideation eg 2002; HIV +ve 19.5%, HIV -ve 12.8%, p=0.02. Suicidal ideation was associated with unemployment in the community sample but not with sexual behaviour. HIV positive men were less likely to be employed than other men, eg 2002; 56% v 90%, p<0.001.

CONCLUSIONS: Despite advances in treatments, suicidal ideation is still common among HIV +ve gay men, and higher than for their uninfected peers. This did not appear to be directly related to their treatments but may be exacerbated by secondary effects of infection, such as higher unemployment. While the physical well-being of HIV positive gay men has improved since HAART, mental health issues still warrant attention.

Keywords: AEGIS, Homosexuality, Male, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Seropositivity, Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active, Homosexuality, London, Suicide, HIV Infections, Risk-Taking, Sexual Behavior, Viral Load, Questionnaires, Humans, Male

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