Prevalence and Factors associated with Depression among Clinically Stable People Living with HIV/AIDS on Antiretroviral Therapy

Abstract

Background: Individuals with HIV/AIDS are prone for psychiatric/psychological morbidities. Many studies have reported significantly higher prevalence of depression in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA's) when compared to general population. However, there are only very few studies looking at the prevalence of depression in patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Objectives: To estimate the prevalance and factors associated with depression among clinically stable PLWHAs. Materials and Methods: We used a cross-sectional study design to estimate the prevalence of depression and factors associated with it among clinically stable PLWHAs with CD4 cell count >400 cells/mm3 and on ART for >2 years. We assessed 100 PLWHAs and diagnosed depression using ICD-10 diagnostic criteria. Results: The prevalence of depression was 30% in this sample. Female gender, lack of family support, and HIV-positive status of the spouse were associated with depression in this study. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed lack of family support significantly associated with depression. High prevalence of depression and its association with stressful life circumstances even in individuals stable on ART points toward need for psychosocial interventions to improve metal health and well-being of these patients.

Depression and its predictors among people living with HIV/AIDS on antiretroviral therapy

“…Prevalence of depression among HIV-infected people was found to be 47%-69% in India according to various studies by NACO, Bhat et al and Rai et al 2,4,7 Depression among PLHA in the study was 33.5%, which was similar to the findings of 30% depression among clinically stable PLHA at ART centre of Thissur government medical college. 12 A study done at Aligarh using PHQ 9 questionnaire found 16.1% of PLHA were suffering from depression with 13.1% having mild, 2.3% moderate and 0.7% moderately-severe depression, whereas in this study 19.9% of study participants had mild depression, 10.5% moderate and 3.1% had moderately severe depression. 13 This study revealed that among PHLA, proportion of depression was more among females 40.3% compared to males 24.8%, which was statistically significant (p=0.003) which was similar to studies done by Chandra et al and Dhadphale et al in India.…”

“…7 No statistical association was found between CD4 count and depression in the present study which was similar to findings of study at Jhansi and few other studies. 7,12,16 Proportion of Depression was 65.5% among PLHA with less than one year of illness compared to 28.6% among PLHA with 5 years of illness, which was statistically significant (p=0.001). Similarly duration of ART was statistically associated with depression, as 61.1% of PLHA on ART for less than 1 year had depression compared to 28.6% of depression among PLHA who were on treatment for more than 5 years, but in other studies duration of illness or duration of ART were not associated with depression.…”

“…Similarly duration of ART was statistically associated with depression, as 61.1% of PLHA on ART for less than 1 year had depression compared to 28.6% of depression among PLHA who were on treatment for more than 5 years, but in other studies duration of illness or duration of ART were not associated with depression. 7,12…”

A Comment on “Prevalence and Factors Associated with Depression among Clinically Stable People Living with HIV/AIDS on Antiretroviral Therapy”

“…Sir, I read the article by Algoodkar et al with considerable interest. [1] The authors reported the prevalence of depression in 100 people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) undergoing treatment in an antiretroviral therapy (ART) center to be 30%. These findings imply the need for regular screening of PLWHAs undergoing ART for depressive symptoms and appropriate mental health care according to the results of the screening.…”

Effects of Compassion-focused Therapy on Psychological Wellbeing, Life Expectancy, and Psychological Flexibility in Individuals With Human Immunodeficiency Virus

“…Currently, Iran has reached the HIV epidemic proportion and it is more prevalent among high-risk groups, such as prisoners, substancedependents, and sex workers (Joulaei, Lankarani, Kazerooni & Marzban, 2017). People Who Live with HIV (PWLH), as a chronic and disabling disease, experience high levels of anxiety (Brandt et al, 2017), depression (Bhatia & Munjal 2014), sleep disorders (Gamaldo et al, 2013), suicidal ideation (Ruffieux et al, 2019), impaired sexual function (Khuat et al, 2018), impairments in daily living activities, and socio-psychological pressures (Russell et al, 2016). There is no definitive cure for HIV; thus, patients accept the feelings of helplessness and inefficiency, instead of managing and controlling the disease.…”