Anxiety, depression and treatment adherence among HIV-infected migrants

Abstract

Diagnosing symptoms of psychological distress can be challenging in migrants living with HIV (MLWH) living in Western Europe. We evaluated the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) as a screening tool for psychological distress. Additionally, the association between psychological distress and adherence to combination Antiretroviral Therapy (cART) was determined. Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, psychosocial variables, and selfreported adherence to cART data were collected. 306/352 participants completed the HADS. A HADS+ (≥15, at risk for psychological distress) was found in 106/306. The Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) was completed by 60/106. The HADS was repeated in 58 participants as the time between the first HADS and the CIDI was more than three months. In 21/37 participants with a HADS+ (57%) within three months before the CIDI a diagnosis of depression or anxiety disorder based on the CIDI was found. Participants with a HADS+ were more likely to be non-adherent (71.3% vs. 43.6%). In a large group of MLWH in the Netherlands, 35% were at risk for symptoms of psychological distress. The HADS seems to be a suitable screening tool for MLWH.

Self-stigma, resilience, perceived quality of social relationships, and psychological distress among Filipina domestic helpers in Hong Kong: A mediation model.

“…This was an early attempt to examine how self-stigma and resilience could be associated with psychological distress in the context of a devalued minority group in Hong Kong. We found that 39% of FDH were at risk for high psychological distress (HADS-total Ն15), which was comparable with the estimates among HIV positive migrants in the Netherlands (Been et al, 2019), European parents of children with a chronic illness (Haverman et al, 2013), and Korean cancer survivors (Shim, Shin, Jeon, & Hahm, 2008). Its high prevalence highlights the importance of understanding the correlates of distress for FDH in Hong Kong.…”

“…A recent review has supported that the HADS-total score is widely used to represent psychological distress in the general public and medical populations (Bjelland, Dahl, Haug, & Neckelmann, 2002). A cut-off point of 15 is suggested as an indicator of having risk for psychological distress (Been et al, 2019; Haverman et al, 2013). The HADS-total score has also been shown to be associated with other commonly used distress measures (e.g., Distress Thermometer; Haverman et al, 2013; The Southern European Psycho-Oncology Study Group et al, 2015).…”

Hopelessness and HIV infection: an exploratory study with a gender-specific perspective

“…Migrants in Sweden are often economically more vulnerable than Swedish-born citizens [ 53 ]. Their financial hardship may be indicative of the combination of migration and HIV status, suggesting being a migrant indirectly increases psychological distress [ 49 , 53 , 54 ]. In contrast to Stanley et al’s study [ 14 ], time with diagnosed HIV infection had a strong indirect effect on hopelessness through age.…”

Global Systematic Review of Common Mental Health Disorders in Adults Living with HIV

“…Prisoners with perceived stigma due to HIV status are more likely to be depressed [108]. One-third of migrants living with HIV report experiencing psychological distress [109]. Screening and treatment for CMHD disorders will be essential in improving HIV care in vulnerable populations.…”