[Psychosocial factors associated with late HAART initiation in Mexican patients with HIV].

OBJECTIVE

To explore the association between psychosocial factors and late highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) initiation in a sample of Mexican patients with HIV.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study at the HIV Clinic of the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán (INCMNSZ), and applied structured questionnaires to 150 patients who initiated HAART between January 2010 and August 2011. Late HAART initiation (LHI) was considered when patients started HAART with CD4 counts of <200+ cells/mm³.

RESULTS

By multivariate analysis, the strongest psychosocial risk factor for LHI observed was self-stigma towards HIV/AIDS. In addition, being tested by medical prescription, not by own initiative, as well as having one or more previous medical contacts, were associated with greater risk for LH.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest the need to develop psychosocial interventions to decrease negative self-image and stigmatizing attitudes and behaviors in risk groups for HIV in Mexico.