Abstract

Depression is one of the most common neuropsychiatric complications of HIV disease, and in turn it is associated with worse HIV-related outcomes. HIV/AIDS is a significant cause of death and disability, especially in low- and middle-income countries. UNAIDS estimates that in 2017, 36.7 million people were living with HIV (PLHIV). Mental health and HIV/AIDS are closely interlinked; mental health problems, including substance-use disorders, are associated with increased risk of HIV infection and AIDS and interfere with their treatment, and conversely some mental disorders occur as a direct result of HIV infection. Objectives: The main objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of depression amongst patients with seropositive for HIV attending ART plus centre of Hamidia Hospital, Bhopal Material and methods: The study was carried among 250 newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS positive persons attending the ART plus centre of Hamidia hospital Bhopal India. All the patients, male, female, and transgender in the age range of 18-65 years and willing to participate were included in this study during the period April 2017 to March 2018. Informed verbal consent was obtained for each patient at the time of study. Patients were studied for their different socio-demographic parameters and level of depression among the HIV/ AIDS patients. Results: The prevalence of depression was found to be 43.2%. Age range of study population was 18 years to 65 years, with 57.66% males and 42% females and 0.8% transgender. Majority of the patient’s (82.67%) were in adult (15 to 49 years) age group. Heterosexual contact was the commonest (95.62%) mode of HIV transmission. Most common occupation group, among males was laborers while most of females were house wives accounting for 26.33% and 34% of the study group respectively. Majority of patients belonged to class IV (34.66%) and class III (34.33%) of socioeconomic status. Commonest associated systemic disease was tuberculosis, seen in 14% of patients. Unprotected sexual route was the most common (91.5%) mode of transmission; among which heterosexual route was found to be the commonest (95.62%). Conclusion: Majority of patients belonged to low socioeconomic status and in young and productive age group with heterosexual contact being commonest mode of transmission. Majority of our patients were at relatively good immune status, and in early stage of the disease

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