Depression in HIV infection: related factors and effects on quality of life

Abstract

Having human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection means living with a highly stigmatized chronic disease for the rest of one’s life. Previous studies have shown that depression rates are three times higher in people living with HIV (PLHIV) than in the general population. Aim of this study was to analyse mental health problems faced by PLHIV, mental health’s relation to quality of life and what factors are associated with depressive symptoms. Eight hundred PLHIV participated in the cross-sectional study. Depression, using screening instrument EST-Q2, was identified in 53% of PLHIV, which is considerably higher than reported in other studies. Of those identified as having depression, only 22% were told by their physician that they have depression (indicating high under-diagnosing), and only 14% had taken antidepressants. Thirty-six percent of participants reported having had suicidal ideation. Depression was strongly correlated with anxiety, fatigue and insomnia. Being depressed decreased quality of life in all aspects measured with WHOQoL-HIV BREF. According to stepwise regression analyses, frequency of depressive mood was associated with unemployment, recent and former injecting drug use, having children, age and having completed 9 years of education. No infection related indicators (e.g., CD4 cell count, viral load, antiretroviral therapy), gender or social isolation were found to be statistically associated with depressed mood.