Predictors of Major Depression in Recently Diagnosed Patients with HIV/AIDS in South Africa

ABSTRACT

There is increasing evidence that major depression impacts the course of HIV infection, yet

few studies have explored demographic and clinical predictors of depression in people who

with HIV/AIDS. This study investigated predictors of depression (e.g., demographic and clinical

variables, negative life events, and coping response) among outpatients with recently diagnosed

HIV/AIDS patients in South Africa. One hundred forty-nine recently diagnosed

HIV/AIDS patients (44 males and 105 females; mean time since diagnosis 5.8, standard deviation

[SD] 4.1) were evaluated. Subjects were assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric

Interview (MINI), the Carver Brief COPE coping scale, and the Sheehan Disability

Scale. In addition, previous exposures to trauma and past risk behaviors were assessed.

Three variables: gender (odd ratio [OR] 1.23; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.56, 1.93), impact

of negative life events (OR 1.13; CI, 1.03, 1.23), and disability (OR 1.51, CI, 1.28, 1.80)

predicted current major depression. It is well known from non-HIV populations that female

gender and increased negative life events predict depression. These data also emphasize the

importance of these links in HIV