Prevalence and Predictors of Depression in People living with HIV/AIDS Attending an Outpatient Clinic in Nigeria

Objective: Studies have identified high prevalence of depression among people living with HIV/AIDS, but only few studies have looked into this association in this environment. The objectives were to determine the prevalence of major depressive disorder, associated socio-demographic and psychosocial variables in people living with HIV/AIDS attending an out-patient clinic at the Olabisi Onabanjo Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out on one-hundred and thirty subjects living with HIV/AIDS attending out-patient clinic at the OOUTH, Sagamu. They were assessed with a socio-demographic questionnaire designed by the researchers, and they also had a clinical interview with the depression module of the Structured Clinical Interview Schedule for Axis 1 DSM-IV disorders (SCID). The diagnosis was made according to the DSM- IV criteria and severity assessed with the Hamilton Rating Scale for depression. Results: The prevalence of depression was 23.1 % and was higher than figures reported in the general population studies in Nigeria. Of this proportion 46.7%, 50%, 3.3 % were mildly, moderately and severely depressed. Majority (40%) were within the 30-39 years range. Women accounted for 69.2 % of the study population and 46.9 % of the subjects were either divorced/separated or widowed. Depression was significantly associated with being female and having suicidal thoughts or attempt. There was no association between marita