Risk of deliberate self‐harm and factors associated with suicidal behaviour among asymptomatic individuals with human immunodeficiency virus infection

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Abstract
The study was aimed at evaluating the risk of deliberate self‐harm (DSH) and factors associated with suicidal behaviour in 213 asymptomatic individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in 3 transmission categories (68 gay men, 123 intravenous drug users and 22 heterosexuals). The results showed that 12 HIV‐seropositive (HIV +) subjects were involved in DSH after the notification of a positive HIV test result, of which 8 occurred within 6 months and 4 between 6 months and 3 years. HIV + subjects with a past psychiatric history showed a 7.7‐fold increase in the relative risk of DSH, and HIV + subjects with a history of DSH showed a 5‐fold increase in the relative risk of DSH compared with HIV + individuals without a past psychiatric history and a history of DSH. Professionals involved in the care of HIV + individuals need to be aware of this risk, especially in the first few months after notification of HIV status and also at later stages of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

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