Persistent depressive disorder among persons receiving an HIV test: an understudied phenomenon

Abstract

ABSTRACT Persistent depressive disorder is under-studied in HIV settings. We recruited 500 persons seeking an HIV test in South Africa and administered the major depression and persistent depression modules of the Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM-5, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory, Alcohol Use and Drug Use Disorders Identification Tests and the PTSD Symptom Scale. Of the total sample, 7.2% met the criteria for persistent depression and 14.4% had major depression; 3.6% had both Major Depression and Persistent Depression; 3.6% had Persistent Depression and no Major Depression; 10.8% had Major Depression and no Persistent Depression; and 82.0% had neither Major Depression nor Persistent Depression. We found a significant relationship between major and persistent depression (X2 (1, N = 500) = 39.89; p < .00; 95% CI). Persons with PDD were over 7 times more likely to have major depression than those without PDD (OR = 7.59; 95% CI: 3.72–15.48). Income level and BDI scores were significant predictors of persistent depression (p < 0.05), but not anxiety, traumatisation, and harmful alcohol and drug use. Many people may experience diagnosable mood disturbance prior to receipt of their HIV test results, suggesting the need to integrate mental health services with HIV testing.