Depression among people living with HIV at a district hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Background: Depression is a debilitating condition worldwide and a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease. The prevalence of depression is estimated to be higher in people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) compared to the general population, with disease related complications incre...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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AOSIS
2024-07-01
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| Series: | South African Family Practice |
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| Online Access: | https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5821 |
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| author | Zothile L. Vezi Selvandran Rangiah Kantharuben Naidoo |
| author_facet | Zothile L. Vezi Selvandran Rangiah Kantharuben Naidoo |
| author_sort | Zothile L. Vezi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Depression is a debilitating condition worldwide and a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease. The prevalence of depression is estimated to be higher in people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) compared to the general population, with disease related complications increasing when mental health problems remain untreated. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of depression among PLWHA who attend a district hospital ART clinic in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa (SA).
Methods: Using strict systematic sampling, a descriptive cross-sectional study was employed with 121 adult outpatients attending an antiretroviral clinic at a district hospital in KZN, SA. Their biographical and clinical characteristics were obtained through a questionnaire and medical records, while depression was evaluated using the PHQ-9 scale. The data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results: A total of 121 participants were recruited for this study. The prevalence of depression was 19.8% and significantly associated with a poor support system (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.60, p = 0.010). Female patients were more likely to have depressive symptoms than males (aOR = 0.73; confidence interval: 0.28–1.90) although this was not statistically significant. Age, marital status and viral load were not contributors to depression.
Conclusion: Routine screening for depression among PLWHA at primary health care (PHC) level may improve detection rates, earlier treatment and overall health outcomes.
Contribution: The results emphasise the need for patient-centeredness and holistic care that involves addressing mental health for PLWHA, given that HIV is a lifelong condition. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d27f544a837c40d4a2eeea44552d9d6b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2078-6190 2078-6204 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-07-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | South African Family Practice |
| spelling | doaj-art-d27f544a837c40d4a2eeea44552d9d6b2025-08-20T04:03:12ZengAOSISSouth African Family Practice2078-61902078-62042024-07-01661e1e810.4102/safp.v66i1.58214445Depression among people living with HIV at a district hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, South AfricaZothile L. Vezi0Selvandran Rangiah1Kantharuben Naidoo2Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, DurbanDepartment of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, DurbanDepartment of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, DurbanBackground: Depression is a debilitating condition worldwide and a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease. The prevalence of depression is estimated to be higher in people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) compared to the general population, with disease related complications increasing when mental health problems remain untreated. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of depression among PLWHA who attend a district hospital ART clinic in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa (SA). Methods: Using strict systematic sampling, a descriptive cross-sectional study was employed with 121 adult outpatients attending an antiretroviral clinic at a district hospital in KZN, SA. Their biographical and clinical characteristics were obtained through a questionnaire and medical records, while depression was evaluated using the PHQ-9 scale. The data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: A total of 121 participants were recruited for this study. The prevalence of depression was 19.8% and significantly associated with a poor support system (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.60, p = 0.010). Female patients were more likely to have depressive symptoms than males (aOR = 0.73; confidence interval: 0.28–1.90) although this was not statistically significant. Age, marital status and viral load were not contributors to depression. Conclusion: Routine screening for depression among PLWHA at primary health care (PHC) level may improve detection rates, earlier treatment and overall health outcomes. Contribution: The results emphasise the need for patient-centeredness and holistic care that involves addressing mental health for PLWHA, given that HIV is a lifelong condition.https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5821hivaidsdepressionprevalenceplwhasouth africa |
| spellingShingle | Zothile L. Vezi Selvandran Rangiah Kantharuben Naidoo Depression among people living with HIV at a district hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa South African Family Practice hiv aids depression prevalence plwha south africa |
| title | Depression among people living with HIV at a district hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| title_full | Depression among people living with HIV at a district hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| title_fullStr | Depression among people living with HIV at a district hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Depression among people living with HIV at a district hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| title_short | Depression among people living with HIV at a district hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| title_sort | depression among people living with hiv at a district hospital in kwazulu natal south africa |
| topic | hiv aids depression prevalence plwha south africa |
| url | https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5821 |
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