Depression and Co-Occurring Health Determinants of Hispanic Men With HIV Infection in the U.S.-Mexico Border Region: A Pilot Study

Abstract

HIV infection among Hispanic men is a public health concern. Certain factors have been identified that may contribute to the high rates of HIV infection among Hispanic men such as migration, acculturation, poverty, and depression. Hispanic men with HIV infection are at risk for additional co-occurring health issues. Given limited research few studies have focused specifically on Hispanic men with HIV infection residing in a U.S.-Mexico border community. This pilot study surveyed participants (n = 39), to better understand co-occurrence of health determinants, especially depression among Hispanic men with HIV infection. The study’s findings indicate that clinicians need to be aware that factors may influence depression among people with Hispanic men with HIV infection. Clinicians also need awareness of the impact of depression on adherence to HIV care and treatment among Hispanic men with HIV infection. More research is needed to explore the relationship of HIV-related stigma, HIV disclosure, social support, and depression among Hispanic men with HIV infection.

A Comparison of Psychosocial Factors, Substance Use Behaviors, and Sexual Behaviors by Self-Reported HIV Status Among Middle-Aged Hispanic Men Who Have Sex With Men

“…Perhaps the present study’s findings can be explained by the fact that the levels of depressive symptoms in this sample were low and lacked variability. Because previous research with Hispanic MSM has reported high levels of depressive symptoms (e.g., De Santis et al, 2016), more research on depressive symptoms among Hispanic MSM is warranted.…”

“…A second study conducted in El Paso, Texas with 39 Hispanic men living with HIV infection compared childhood abuse, condom use, alcohol use, and drug use when stratified by depression. Because of the small sample size, the only significant difference noted was that those who reported drug use in the previous 3 months were more likely to be depressed (De Santis et al, 2016).…”

Correlation of Socio-Demographic and Clinical Factors with Quality of Life (QOL) Among Subjects Living with HIV in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

“…Severe emotional trauma can predispose an individual to acquiring HIV due to poor sense of judgment, leading to sexual indiscretion and other risk bearing practices [16]. HIV infections is characterized by chronicity with subsequent need for long term medications, effects on the central nervous system (CNS), high rate of mortality and morbidity and impact on emotion (the component that is often neglected) [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31]. In addition, patients with the conditions need extensive education, attitudinal change; coping and healthy lifestyle includes diet [45][46][47][48][49].…”

Comparison of Psychiatric Comorbidity and Quality of Life (QOL) in Persons with Tuberculosis and People Living with HIV in South-South Nigeria

“…A mere diagnosis of these chronic medical diseases can pose serious psychological trauma for the sufferer, giving rise to varied psychiatric symptoms and comorbidities [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26]. The situation has greatly worsened with the recent surge in co-infection of tuberculosis with HIV infection [27][28][29].…”