Prevalence and Determinants of Suicidal Ideation and Suicide Attempt in People With Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Africa: a Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: People with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are at higher risk of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. We reviewed the literature for the prevalence and determinants of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt in people with HIV in Africa. Methods: The PubMed, Scopus, and Google scholar were searched for original studies published in peerreviewed journals in English language between January 2015 to July 2020, using the key words: 'suicidal behavior', 'suicidal attempt', 'suicidal ideation', 'HIV/AIDS', and/or 'Africa'. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Results: 12 cross-sectional studies published in the past 5 years in African countries were included. The quality of studies was high, with score ranging from 6 to 9. The prevalence of suicidal ideation ranged from 8.8% to 39%. The prevalence of suicide attempt ranged from 2.8% to 20.1%. The most common risk factors for suicidal behaviour were mental health-related problems. Other factors included high clinical stage of HIV, being unmarried, poor medication adherence, poorer quality of life, not taking highly active antiretroviral therapy, female sex, no education, substance use, low CD4 level, and opportunistic infection. Conclusion: Patients with HIV/AIDS have an increased risk of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Early screening, treatment, and referral of suicidal patients are necessary for HIV clinics.

Gender differences in suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and suicide death among people living with HIV: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Suicidal ideation and suicide attempts can exist in all stages of the HIV course, and the prevalence is elevated in both males and females [52]. A recent systematic review reported that female gender was a risk factor for suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among people living with HIV [52], which was in line with the results of our meta-analysis. One possible interpretation is that females are more likely to internalise stressful occurrences and experience psychological abuse [54], whereas males tend to express or act them out [55].…”

“…People living with HIV have a higher prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts than those without HIV [52]. Suicidal ideation is a predictive factor of suicide attempts and suicide death in people living with HIV [53].…”

“…Suicidal ideation is a predictive factor of suicide attempts and suicide death in people living with HIV [53]. Suicidal ideation and suicide attempts can exist in all stages of the HIV course, and the prevalence is elevated in both males and females [52]. A recent systematic review reported that female gender was a risk factor for suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among people living with HIV [52], which was in line with the results of our meta‐analysis.…”

Global trends in depression among patients living with HIV: A bibliometric analysis

“…Literatures suggested that cocaine has adverse effects Du et al 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1125300 Frontiers in Psychology 12 frontiersin.org on HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder and neuro AIDS (Dahal et al, 2015;Illenberger et al, 2020). Additionally, several systematic reviews reported that substance abuse and depression are high risk factors for suicide in PLWH (Metekiya et al, 2022;Tsai et al, 2022). More research on the role of drug abuse (include cocaine, cannabis, and marijuana) in HIV infected individuals could contribute to the development of novel treatment strategies for PLWH with substance abuse.…”