Prevalence of Depressive Symptoms and Its Associated Factors among People Living with HIV Attending Public Hospitals of Nekemte Town, Western Ethiopia, 2021.

backgroundDepressive symptoms are the most common mental illness among people living with HIV/AIDS. Depressive symptoms impact negatively on the course of HIV infection and can lead to suicide and increased risk of mortality when it is a severe form. Although depressive symptoms are common among HIV/AIDS patients, only a few studies have been conducted in Ethiopia and no study, particularly at Nekemte town public hospitals. Therefore, this study was aimed at assessing the prevalence and risk factors for depressive symptoms among people living with HIV/AIDS attending Nekemte town public hospitals, Western Ethiopia

resultsOut of the total of 384 study participants who participated in the study, 165 (42.96%) had depressive symptoms. Self-reported sleeping problems (AOR = 7.04, 95% CI: 3.23, 15.33), CD4 level of <200 (AOR = 5.45, 95% CI: 2.06, 14.42), poor social support (AOR = 2.79, 95% CI: 1.17, 6.67), and perceived stigma (AOR = 9.11, 95% CI: 1.17, 17.33) were significantly associated with depressive symptoms among HIV/AIDS patients at Nekemte town public hospitals.

conclusionThe level of depressive symptoms among HIV/AIDS patients in this study was high. Self-reported sleeping problems, CD4 level, social support, and perceived stigma were found to be significantly associated with depressive symptoms among HIV patients. Health care professionals should have to strengthen the linkage of mental health with antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinic to early detect and treat depressive symptoms.