Prevalence and predictors of depression among persons living with HIV/AIDS | ||
| Egyptian Journal of Psychiatry | ||
| Volume 44, Issue 1, January 2023, Pages 48-54 PDF (496.51 K) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejpsy.2023.315359 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Oluwaseun A. Ayodeji; Chukwuma U. Okeafor* | ||
| Department of Mental Health/Neuropsychiatry, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers, Nigeria. | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Background:- Depression and HIV/AIDS are both major public health concerns in Africa and globally. This study sought to determine the prevalence and predictors of depression among persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Patients and Methods:- A cross-sectional study was carried out involving 334 PLWHA, selected via systematic sampling from the antiretroviral clinic of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI)-Depression module was used to diagnose depression. Data on sociodemographic and HIV-related findings were obtained. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed at the 0.05 significant level. Results:- The mean age of the participants was 36.4±8.8 years. The median (range) duration of HIV diagnosis was 24.5(1–168) months. The median (range) duration on highly active antiretroviral treatment was 12.0(6–124) months. A total of 121 were depressed, giving a prevalence rate of 36.2% [95% confidence interval (CI): 31.1–41.6%]. Age (P=0.001) and marital status (P=0.0001) were predictors of depression among the study population. Persons living with HIV/AIDS who were 40 years and younger were approximately three times more likely to be depressed in comparison with those older than 40 years (adjusted odds ratio=2.76; 95% CI: 1.52–5.02). Moreover, those who were currently single were approximately four times more likely to be depressed than the currently married (adjusted odds ratio=3.73; 95% CI: 2.17–6.43). The HIV-related findings showed no significant relationship with depression (P>0.05). Conclusions:- Depression is not uncommon among persons living with HIV/AIDS, with slightly above one-thirds experiencing it. Routine screening for depression in the antiretroviral outpatient clinics is advocated, especially among patients who are 40 years and younger and currently unmarried. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Antiretroviral; Depression; HIV/AIDS; Mental health | ||
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