Open AccessProvider-initiated HIV counselling and testing (PICT) in the mentally ill
Author(s) -
M Y H Moosa,
F Y Jeenah
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
south african journal of psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.425
H-Index - 13
eISSN - 2078-6786
pISSN - 1608-9685
DOI - 10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v19i3.408
Subject(s) - mentally ill , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , population , psychiatry , mental health , medicine , psychology , clinical psychology , family medicine , mental illness , environmental health
The prevalence of HIV infection is substantially higher in mentally ill individuals than in the general population. Despite this, HIV testing is not yet standard practice among the mentally ill population, and many mental health settings do not encourage HIV testing. This paper discusses provider-initiated HIV counselling and testing (PICT) and some of the ethical dilemmas associated with it, on the basis that PICT may be used to increase the number of mentally ill persons tested for HIV. The authors conclude that PICT should be promoted to all psychiatric admissions and mentally ill individuals receiving outpatient services, and that this is within the parameters of existing policies and legislations in South Africa