Treatment GuideJust DiagnosedSex & DatingAfrican AmericanStigmaAsk the HIV DocPrEP En EspañolNewsVoicesPrint IssueVideoOut 100
CONTACTCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
A study led by an HIV expert at the University of Bern has found that suicides among Swiss AIDS patients declined by more than 50% following the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy in 1996.
Olivia Keiser and her team analyzed data from the Swiss HIV Cohort Study and the Swiss National Cohort, a longitudinal study of mortality in Switzerland's general population. From 1988 to 2008, 15,275 patients were followed in the SHCS for a median duration of 4.7 years. Of these, 150 died by suicide.
"In men, standardized mortality ratios declined from 13.7 in the late HAART era," the authors wrote. "In women, ratios declined from 11.6 to 5.7. In both periods suicide rates tended to be higher in older patients, in men, in injection-drug users, and in patients with advanced clinical stage of HIV illness," the researchers report. Keiser notes that 62% of those who killed themselves also had a mental illness.
The study's findings could prove significant in developing countries, where there is ongoing debate among wealthy donor nations about whether providing costly antiretrovirals is a better use of resources than inexpensive interventions like mosquito nets, antibiotics, and water filters. Asked whether she would expect to find similar results in African countries with high AIDS rates, Keiser said there is no way to know since little data exist on suicide in Africa.
Professor Lourens Schlebusch of the Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine at the University of Natal says recent research there points to soaring suicide rates among young black South Africans in the past decade. While academic problems, incest, stress, and depression were the leading causes of suicide, Schlebusch says, people with AIDS were 36 times as likely as others to take their lives.
The study, "Suicide in HIV-Infected Individuals and the General Population in Switzerland, 1988-2008," was published in the American Journal of Psychiatry.
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Diets that mimic fasting reverse aging: study
March 07 2024 5:28 PM
The Most Amazing HIV Allies & Advocates of 2023
November 03 2023 12:51 PM
PrEP without a prescription now a reality in California
February 06 2024 8:37 PM
This OnlyFans Star Is Trying to Raise $100K to Fight HIV
December 26 2023 3:05 PM
The naked Black body takes center stage in this HIV campaign
January 03 2024 1:07 PM
Mr. Gay World wants to make sure you're OK
January 02 2024 4:56 PM
The First Person Cured of AIDS Gets His Due
December 19 2023 1:12 AM
HIV Advocate, Journalist Josh Kruger Murdered in His Home
October 06 2023 3:19 PM
35 Years of World AIDS Day
December 01 2023 8:35 AM
Plus: Featured Video
Latest Stories
Prohibition Wellness & revolutionizing self-care for all
March 22 2024 1:19 PM
8 dating tips for gay men from a gay psychotherapist
March 21 2024 2:50 PM
Unleash your fiery spirit with The Pride Store’s Aries gift guide
March 21 2024 2:08 PM
Crafting diversity and inclusivity in beauty with Fashion Foundry
March 20 2024 5:27 PM
Vibrant locks rain or shine with The Pride Store's top haircare essentials
March 19 2024 2:13 PM
At risk for syphilis or chlamydia? There’s a PEP for that
March 19 2024 12:04 PM
'Drag Race' star Q shares she's living with HIV
March 18 2024 3:08 PM
Empowering women with Nashelle Jewelry this Women's History Month
March 13 2024 3:05 PM
Scarlet fever: exploring our fascination with blood
March 13 2024 1:47 PM
Bloom in your skin with The Pride Store’s skincare essentials
March 12 2024 4:31 PM
Nex Benedict’s tragic death further proves that Oklahoma is not OK
March 12 2024 2:57 PM
Mr. Gay World's Plus cover story: behind the scenes
March 08 2024 4:47 PM
HIV+ man banned from jail work program gets last laugh
March 07 2024 4:14 PM
The Werkroom's artistic rebellion transforms pop culture icons into queer fantasies
March 07 2024 2:23 PM
Get your spring bling on with The Pride Store’s jewelry picks
March 05 2024 4:43 PM
Is this the future of PrEP?
March 01 2024 5:54 PM
Leap (Day) into luxury with The Pride Store's flash promotion!
February 28 2024 2:15 PM
Top 10 gifts that bind to celebrate your chosen family
February 28 2024 11:58 AM
The FDA Says This Group Can Now Use Biktarvy Safely
February 27 2024 5:52 PM