Prevalence and Associated Factors of Depression among Patients with HIV/AIDS in Lahore, Pakistan: Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background Depression is defined as a psychiatric disorder characterized by depressed mood, lack of concentration, diminished energy, disturbed sleep, and low self-esteem. Depression is more prevalent in HIV/AIDS patients than the general population. There is no published study available that reveals the present status of depression among HIV patients in Pakistan. As such, the present study was conducted to determine the prevalence and associated factors of depression among HIV/AIDS patients attending the HIV clinic of Jinnah Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan. Methods A hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out from February to March 2019 in Lahore. Data were collected from 158 HIV/AIDS patients using a pretested, standardized, structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Nonprobability convenience sampling was used to recruit the study participants. Depression was evaluated using the Patient Health Questionnaire. SPSS version 23 was used to analyze the data. Binary logistic regression models were used to determine the various factors associated with depression. AORs with 95% CIs were used to assess the magnitude of associations between depression and associated factors. Results The mean age of the study participants was 35.03 years±9.123. Prevalence of depression among HIV/AIDS patients was 32.2%. Living in a rural area (AOR 5.60, 95% CI 2.20, 14.15), fear of stigma and discrimination (AOR 3.505, 95% CI 1.364, 9.008), having worked abroad (AOR 3.017, 95% CI 1.134, 8.031), and history of substance abuse (AOR 4.147, 95% CI 1.673, 10.28) were significantly associated with depression. Conclusion The prevalence of depression among HIV/AIDS patients is very high in Pakistan. Therefore, it is suggested that guidelines formulated to screen and treat depression among HIV patients.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on Depression and Associated Factors among Adult HIV/AIDS-Positive Patients Attending ART Clinics of Ethiopia: 2021

“…Because adverse drug side effects interfere with the optimal functions of people living with HIV/AIDS, they have fear of toxicities of the drug, become hopeless, and finally get depressed. This finding is consistent with studies conducted in China [ 40 ] and Asia [ 21 ].…”

“…The odds of depression were two times in HIV/AIDS patients who had perceived stigma than their counterparts. This finding is consistent with studies conducted in China [ 41 ], Botswana [ 42 ], systematic review in east Africa [ 14 ], and Pakistan [ 21 ]. It is due to the fact that patients who feel stigmatized by the community related to HIV/AIDS may isolate themselves from the community, and consequently, depression may develop.…”

“…In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the national pooled prevalence of depression among adult HIV/AIDS patients attending ART clinics of Ethiopia was 36.3% (95% ). This finding is comparable with the systematic review conducted in east Africa (38%) [14], sub-Saharan Africa (35.8%) [20], Lahore, Pakistan (32.2%) [21], South Africa (37.6%) [15], and India (40%) [22]. However, our finding was lower than studies conducted in Uganda (47%) [23], Nigeria (56.7%) [24], Black Americans (58%) [25], Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Delhi [26], Sudan (63.1%) [27], and Brazil (53.5%) [28].…”

“…In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the national pooled prevalence of depression among adult HIV/AIDS patients attending ART clinics of Ethiopia was 36.3% (95% CI: 28.4%, 44.2%). This finding is comparable with the systematic review conducted in east Africa (38%) [ 14 ], sub-Saharan Africa (35.8%) [ 20 ], Lahore, Pakistan (32.2%) [ 21 ], South Africa (37.6%) [ 15 ], and India (40%) [ 22 ].…”

Mental Health Problems in Hiv and Aids Patients Living in Pakistan: A Preliminary Analysis

“…Andersen et al (2014) focused on the subjective experience of PLHIVs related to mental health problems. Despite the limited available data in this area, some local data shows that there is a substantial burden of mental health problems like depression (47%) and (27.9%) anxiety was found to be prevalent among PLHIVs living in Pakistan (Hafeez, 2018;Junaid, 2021). Though literature indicates HIV/AIDS and mental problems go together, but unfortunately, there is no such specialized, culturally sensitive, and disease-specific scale available which can assess mental health problems faced by HIV/AIDS patients living in Pakistan.…”