Background: The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has remained a global health challenge for over four decades, with low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) bearing the highest burden of morbidity and mortality. Recent data have shown a higher prevalence of mental health problems in people living with HIV (PLWH). However, mental health care is not a part of routine HIV care in most LMICs. This review examined some studies on mental health problems in PLWH in LMICs, as well as the need to integrate mental health care into routine HIV care. 

Main Body: This review involved 24 carefully selected articles on mental health problems among PLWH in LMICs. These articles published within the last 10 years in peer-reviewed journals were selected from PubMed, Springer, and Google Scholar using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) checklist. Some of the mental health problems among PLWH in LMICs were depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

Factors such poor drug adherence, perceived and actual stigmatization and later stages of the disease were associated with mental health problems in PLWH. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5), and the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) were some of the diagnostic tools for mental health problems in PLWH, while psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy were some of the treatment options. There was inadequate inclusion of mental health care in routine HIV care in most LMICs. 

Conclusion: Mental health problems are common in PLWH, but the integration of mental health care into their HIV treatment is suboptimal in most LMICs. There is a need to fully integrate mental health care into routine HIV care to ensure holistic management and better well-being of PLWH in LMICs.