Relationship between Depression and Quality of Life in Persons with Hiv Infection in Nigeria

• Published in: International journal of psychiatry in medicine 2008-01, Vol.38 (1), p.43-51
• Main Authors: Adewuya, Abiodun O., Afolabi, Mohammed O., Ola, Bola A., Ogundele, Olorunfemi A., Ajibare, Adeola O., Oladipo, Bamidele F., Fakande, Ibiyemi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Biological and medical sciences; Comorbidity; Delivery of Health Care; Depression; Depressive Disorder - diagnosis; Depressive Disorder - epidemiology; Depressive Disorder - psychology; Depressive Disorder, Major - diagnosis; Depressive Disorder, Major - epidemiology; Depressive Disorder, Major - psychology; Educational Status; Female; Health Status; HIV; HIV Infections - epidemiology; Human immunodeficiency virus; Human viral diseases; Humans; Infectious diseases; Interpersonal Relations; Male; Medical sciences; Mental depression; Mood disorders; Nigeria - epidemiology; Program Development; Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Quality of Life; Questionnaires; Referral and Consultation; Social Adjustment; Social Class; Social Support; Surveys and Questionnaires; Viral diseases; Viral diseases of the lymphoid tissue and the blood. Aids
• ISSN: 0091-2174; 1541-3527
• DOI: 10.2190/PM.38.1.d

Objective: Despite the fact that two-thirds of all the people with HIV live in sub-Saharan Africa, little is known about the emotional state and quality of life (QOL) of subjects with HIV in this region. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between clinical depression and quality of life in a group of HIV sero-positive subjects in Nigeria. Methods: Subjects with HIV infection (n=87) completed a questionnaire detailing sociodemographic and HIV related variables. The subjects were assessed for the diagnosis of depression using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) and their subjective health related quality of life (QOL) was assessed using the short version of the WHO quality of life scale (WHOQOL-BREF). Results: There were 25 (28.7%) subjects with diagnosis of depression. Lower educational level correlated with poorer QOL in all the domains of WHOQOL-BREF except the “social relationship” domain. Also, poor social support correlated with poorer QOL scores on domains of “physical health” and “social relationship” and presence of medical problems was significantly associated with poorer scores on domains of “physical health” and “psychological health.” Diagnosis of depression was significantly correlated with poorer QOL in all domains except the “social relationship” domain. Conclusion: Poorer health related QOL in Nigerian subjects with HIV was associated with depression, lower educational and socioeconomic levels, and poor social support. Early identification and referral of patients with depression needs to be incorporated into intervention programs designed for HIV infected individuals in this region.