Understanding the experience and manifestation of depression in people living with HIV/Aids in South Africa

Bibliographic Data

ID19440052
AuthorsLene Søndergaard Andersen (0000-0002-9643-4502, University of Cape Town, corresponding author), L Andersen (University of Cape Town), Ashraf Kagee (0000-0003-1241-2566, Stellenbosch University), Conall O’cleirigh (0000-0002-5639-5043, Massachusetts General Hospital), Steven A Safren (0000-0002-0121-0806, Fenway Health), S Safren (Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School/Behavioral Medicine Service, Massachusetts General Hospital/ Fenway Institute, Boston, MA, USA), John A Joska (0000-0003-4260-1181, University of Cape Town), J Joska (University of Cape Town)
Year2015
Volume27
Issue1
Pages59-62
Publication date2015-01-02
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAIDS Care (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0954-0121 • E-ISSN: 1360-0451
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/09540121.2014.951306
PMID25303372
PMCIDPMC4241601
OpenAlexW2156219862
LanguageEN
Citations received12
References cited13

Understanding the experience of depression in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) could aid in the detection and treatment of the disorder. Yet, there is limited knowledge of the subjective experience of depression amongst PLWH in low- and middle-income countries despite high rates of this disorder in this population. In the current study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with depressed adults living with HIV attending a primary infectious disease clinic in South Africa. Interview transcripts were thematically analyzed. The construct of depression was consistent with DSM-IV criteria; however, the symptom presentation was distinctive. Somatic symptoms were most prominent in participants' initial presentations because participants perceived them as medically relevant. Affective, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms were not readily reported as participants did not perceive these symptoms as pertinent to their medical treatment. We identified several idioms of distress that could assist in screening for depression in this population. A valid, contextually developed screener for depression in PLWH awaits further investigation. Such a measure could play a key role in formulating a logistically feasible method of detection and treatment for depression in this population

Disease · Distress · Family medicine · Population · Psychiatry · Clinical Psychology · Family Caregiving in Mental Illness · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Mental Health Treatment and Access · Psychology