Symptoms of depression in people living with HIV in Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam: prevalence and associated factors

摘要

This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence and correlates of symptoms of depression among 400 people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) from two HIV clinics in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Based on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies – Depression scale, 36.5% of participants were classified as likely to be clinically depressed. Factors independently associated with symptoms of depression included self-report of poor or fair health (aOR=2.16, 95% CI 1.33-3.51), having a low body mass index (aOR=1.85, 95% CI 1.13-3.04), reporting recent problems with family (aOR=1.97, 95% CI 1.21-3.19), feeling shame about being HIV-infected (aOR=1.90, 95% CI 1.20-3.00), and reporting conflict with a partner (aOR=2.21, 95% CI 1.14-4.26). Participants who lived with family (aOR=0.48, 95% CI 0.25-0.90) or who received emotional support from their families or supportive HIV networks (aOR=0.45, 95% CI 0.25-0.80) were less likely to experience symptoms of depression. Screening for and treatment of depression among Vietnamese PLHIV are needed.