https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9619-3625
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ABSTRACT
Depression is highly prevalent among people living with human immunodeficiency virus across the globe. Data regarding prevalence and factors associated with depression among HIV-infected individuals in Bhutan remained unknown. Therefore, a cross-sectional study was undertaken among 103 adult (≥18 years) HIV patients attending anti-retroviral therapy clinics located at four different hospitals in Western Bhutan. Depression was assessed using the translated and validated Bhutanese version of centre for epidemiologic studies depression scale-revised. The overall response rate of our participants was 73.6%. Age of our participants ranged from 23 to 79 (mean = 40.29, standard deviation ± 11.22) years. The overall prevalence of depression among our participants was 27.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 19.4–35.9). Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis showed that females (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 3.96, 95% CI: 1.37–11.41) and the poor perceived family support (AOR = 3.31, 95% CI: 1.20–9.10) were significantly associated with depression. Divorced, low income, drinking alcohol and CD4 <200 cells/mm3 had no associations with depression. We recommend mental health interventions to be integrated into routine HIV care in Bhutan for proper management of depression.
Acknowledgement
The authors thank specially Mr Thinley, Ms Rithi Maya, Mr Thinley Tharchen, Mr Til Bdr and Ms Denka for data collection and also Ms Yeshi Lhamo and Mr Kinzang Wangchuk for their contributions in translation of CESD-R. Finally, the authors acknowledge Thailand International Co-operation Agency (TICA) for providing financial assistance for data collection.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.