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Abstract
HIV/AIDS is associated with significant mental health morbidity in high-income countries, and depression associated with HIV/AIDS has been linked with faster disease progression and reduced drug adherence. However, research on mental health is scarce in sub-Saharan Africa where infection levels are highest. This cross-sectional study of 220 HIV-positive outpatients at a dedicated Tanzanian HIV/AIDS care centre assessed sociodemographics, clinical variables and prevalence of ICD-10 common mental health diagnoses via a standardised psychiatric questionnaire (the Clinical Interview Schedule – Revised). Depression or mixed anxiety and depression was identified in 15.5% of subjects, with 4.5% suffering from other anxiety disorders. This suggests routine HIV care in sub-Saharan Africa should include assessment and treatment of mental health issues.
Acknowledgements
Dr Mdimu Ngoma generously provided the Kiswahili translation of the CIS-R and Dr Joseph Mbatia kindly provided additional translations. Dr Benjamin Baig contributed to the project design. K.F.M.M was funded by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, the British Medical and Dental Students Trust and the British Medical Women's Federation.