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medicine

Prevalence and correlates of probable depression diagnosis and suicidal ideation among patients receiving HIV care in Lilongwe, Malawi

Malawi Medical Journal, Volume 30, No. 4, Year 2018

Background Depression and suicide ideation among people living with HIV (PLHIV) can threaten the success of HIV care and treatment programs, particularly within high HIV prevalence settings. We describe the prevalence and correlates associated with depression and suicidal ideation among PLHIV receiving HIV care in Lilongwe, Malawi. Methods From July to September 2013, 206 HIV clinic patients, who were ≥18 years of age and either pre-antiretroviral therapy (ART) or established on ART for ≥6 months prior to study, participated in a survey to assess the prevalence of a likely depressive disorder and suicidal ideation using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. We explored factors associated with depression using bivariable linear regression and suicidal ideation using bivariable log-binomial regression. Results The prevalence of a likely depressive disorder and suicidal ideation was 12% (95% CI: 8%, 17%) and 16% (95% CI: 11%, 21%), respectively. Pre-ART patients (β=1.17, 95% CI: 0.03, 2.30, p-value=0.04) and those with problematic alcohol use (β=0.49, 95% CI: 0.07, 0.92, p-value=0.02) were associated with a higher depression severity. Suicidal ideation was relatively common (8%, 95% CI: 5%, 13%) among those without a likely depressive disorder and significantly correlated with having no primary, secondary, or tertiary education (β=-1.52, 95% CI:-2.46,-0.59, p-value<0.01). Conclusions Interventions that enhance identification and management of depressive disorders and suicidal ideation should be integrated within HIV care clinics in Malawi.
Statistics
Citations: 20
Authors: 12
Affiliations: 5
Identifiers
Research Areas
Health System And Policy
Infectious Diseases
Mental Health
Substance Abuse
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Quantitative
Study Locations
Malawi