[Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus infection in a psychiatric population in Central Africa].

In an African population of 292 women, hospitalised for psychiatric reasons, the seropositivity for HIV was clearly found higher than in the general corresponding population; this was particularly significant for first hospitalisations; furthermore, the seropositivity became twice as high in the group hospitalised several times. The HIV, known for neurotropism, seems responsible for a psychic fragility factor, favorising psychiatric breakdowns as well as their recurrences. No specific psychiatric diagnosis appears to be related to the seropositive patients.