Abstract
Some chronic medical conditions have been found to be worsened by the presence of emotional and psychological disorders which often were not given considerations or even recognized when treatment for these medical conditions are been planned. With regards to HIV/AIDS, the World Health Organization (WHO) had observed that there is a close connection between mental health and HIV/AIDS. The most prevalent mental health problems found to be mostly associated with HIV/AIDS is depression and suicide ideations. This study examined the prevalence of depression and suicide risk among HIV positive persons attending the HIV/AIDS clinic of the University of Nigeria Teaching hospital Enugu south east Nigeria. The major depressive episode and the suicidality modules of the Mini neuropsychiatric interview (MINI) were used to screen 360 persons made up of 180 HIV positive persons and 180 HIV negative blood donors (controls) attending the HIV/AIDS and the hematology clinics of the University of Nigeria Teaching hospital Ituku Ozalla, Enugu south east Nigeria for the prevalence of depression and risk of suicide. The prevalence of depression and risk of suicide was 27.8% and 7.8% respectively for the HIV positive subjects, while it was 12.8% and 2.2% respectively for the HIV negative blood donors (controls). It was concluded that there was high prevalence of depression and suicide risk among HIV positive persons than among the controls.
Highlights
Genetic research revealed that HIV originated in West Central Africa in the early 20th Centuly [1] but Aids was first clinically observed in the United States in 1981 [2]
Someof the risk factors said to be associated with the spread of HIV infection in Nigeria according to the report include prostitution, high risk practices among itinerant workers, high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections, clandestine high risk heterosexual and homosexual practices, international traffickingof women as well as irregular blood screening
This study had revealed the presence of depression and risk of suicide among HIV positive individuals in south eastern Nigeria
Summary
Genetic research revealed that HIV originated in West Central Africa in the early 20th Centuly [1] but Aids was first clinically observed in the United States in 1981 [2]. According to the global AIDS response progress report [4] the prevalence rates of HIV and AIDS in Nigeria showed that about 1.8% of the population were infected with HIV in 1991, 3.8% in1993, 5.4% in 1999 and peaked to 5.8% in 2001. According to the United States president emergency plan for AIDS relief (PEPFAR) [6] the HIV epidemic in Nigeria was complex and varied widely by regions. PEPFAR further posited that youths and young adults in Nigeria were vulnerable to HIV, with young women at higher risk than young men. Someof the risk factors said to be associated with the spread of HIV infection in Nigeria according to the report include prostitution, high risk practices among itinerant workers, high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections, clandestine high risk heterosexual and homosexual practices, international traffickingof women as well as irregular blood screening
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
