Suicidal ideation among HIV+ former blood and/or plasma donors in rural China

Abstract

Suicidal ideation is life-threatening and is prevalent among people living with HIV (PLWH). A dearth of such studies was conducted in China. This study investigated the prevalence of suicidal ideation and associated factors among PLWH who were former blood and/or plasma donors (FBPD) in a rural county in central China. Prospective respondents were randomly selected from a local registry; 176 PLWH who were FBPD joined the study. With informed consent, these PLWH and their spouse were interviewed separately and anonymously. Respectively, 34 and 8% of the sampled (index) PLWH self-reported having suicidal ideation and making a suicidal attempt in the last year. The multivariate analyses results showed that the index PLWH's Physical Function subscale score of the Medical Outcomes Study HIV Health Survey scale (Odds ratio (OR)=6.67, 95% CI=1.69-26.27, <or=25 percentiles against >75 percentiles), the Depression subscale score of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS; OR=9.26, 95% CI=1.32-64.77), and the spouse's Depression subscale score of the DASS (OR=7.64, 95% CI=1.37-42.77) were independently associated with the index PLWH's suicidal ideation. HIV-related variables (e.g., duration of diagnosis, treatment and side effects) and perceived discrimination of the index PLWH, and HIV status of the PLWH's spouse, were not significant factors. Depression is a risk factor for suicides. Moreover, depression may be contagious and the depression status of the spouse also matters. Treatments for depression and prevention intervention for suicides targeting PLWH in rural China are not readily available. Such services are greatly warranted and need to be provided to both the PLWH and his/her spouse.

A structural equation model of perceived and internalized stigma, depression, and suicidal status among people living with HIV/AIDS

“…The proportion of depressive symptoms in the current study was lower than the median prevalence of depressive symptoms among the general PLWH in China (60.6%) from a systematic review [38]. However, the median prevalence of depressive symptoms among PLWH in the systematic review was based on studies mostly conducted in rural China with smaller sample sizes (< 200) while the current study was conducted in Guangzhou, the third biggest city in China, with a larger sample size (411) [38, 39]. PLWH in rural China often have more mental health problems than those in big cities [38].…”

HIV and Stigma in Liuzhou, China

“…Only two (9%) had received mental health treatment, although four (18%) had ongoing suicidal thoughts. In a study of 176 HIV positive former blood/plasma donors in rural China, 34% had considered suicide and 8% attempted suicide in the previous year ( 25 ).…”

Advancing the Prevention Agenda for HIV and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections in South China: Social Science Research to Inform Effective Public Health Interventions

“…Unmet needs among PLHIV in some regions have been widely documented (Ministry of Health People's Republic of China, 2012), including costly incidental fees for diagnostic tests, treatment of opportunistic infections, and hospitalization [30]. Programs are also needed to address the less discussed problems facing PLHIV such as malnutrition [31], suicide [32], and poor general quality of life [33]. …”