Drug Abuse and Psychiatric Findings in HIV-Seropositive Pregnant Patients

In a sample of 55 HIV-seropositive pregnant patients, a history of drug abuse was significantly associated with increased psychopathology, particularly depression & personality disorders. Psychiatric disorders preceded the HIV diagnosis in most of the patients. Intravenous drug abuse was also associated with increased prostitution, incarceration, & previous suicide attempts. Psychiatric findings were influenced much less by the HIV diagnosis & much more by the presence or absence of drug abuse.