Prevalence of and factors associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms among people living with HIV infection in Davao City, Philippines

ABSTRACT

Depression and anxiety are common among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWHIV) infection. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with depression and anxiety among PLWHIV infection in Davao City, Philippines, in order to inform programs to minimize these mental health conditions in the study population. Study subjects were chosen from patients who accessed the HIV and AIDS Core Team (HACT) Clinic at an urban tertiary care hospital in Davao City, Philippines, during August-September 2019. Eligible study subjects were asked to complete the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) questionnaire to assess their depressive and anxiety symptoms. Selected factors were evaluated to determine their association with depressive and anxiety symptoms. A total of 145 subjects were included in the study, 95.9% male. The study subject mean (+or- standard deviation) age was 33.0 (+or- 8.4) years old. Among study subjects, 51.7% and 41.4% had symptoms of depression and anxiety, respectively. Factors significantly associated with depressive symptoms were being aged 25-34 years (adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR)=1.55;95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06-2.26;p-value=0.023) compared to being aged >34 years and being unemployed (aPR=1.62;95% CI 1.15-2.29;p-value=0.006) compared to being employed. The factor significantly associated with anxiety symptoms was being aged 25- 34 years (aPR=1.61;95% CI 1.03-2.51;p-value=0.038) compared to being aged >34 years. In summary, a high prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms was observed among our study subjects;younger age and being unemployed were associated with depressive symptoms and being younger was associated with anxiety symptoms. We conclude there is a need for a program to reduce depression and anxiety in the study population. Further studies are needed to determine what specific interventions can reduce these mental health symptoms in this vulnerable study population.