Anxiety and Depression Disorder among Adult People Living with HIV/AIDS on Follow-up at Dessie Public Health Facilities Antiretroviral Therapy Clinics, Northeast Ethiopia: A Multicenter Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Anxiety and depression are the most prevalent mental disorders among people living with HIV/AIDS compared to people without HIV/AIDS. In addition, mental health problems are associated with an increase in morbidity and mortality in people living with HIV/AIDS due to adverse effects, adherence to antiretroviral therapy, quality of life, and all health-related parameters. There is no additional study on multiple sites as an integrated way to address the proposed issue. Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of anxiety and depression disorders and their associated factors among adult HIV-/AIDS patients on follow-up at antiretroviral therapy clinics in the Dessie town public health facility, Northeast Ethiopia. Methods: A multicenter institutional-based descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. Anxiety and depression disorders were assessed by using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). EPI-Data software version 7.2 for data entry and SPSS version 23 for statistical analysis were used. Statistical significance was declared at a p-value of <0.05 and an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) in the final model. Results: In this study, 404 adult HIV/-AIDS patients presenting for a follow-up at antiretroviral therapy clinics at Dessie town public health facilities participated; the prevalence of anxiety and depression disorders was found to be 31.7% (CI: 27%, 36.6%) and 38% (CI: 33.7%, 42.7%), respectively. Being female (AOR=3.5 95% CI: 1.86 –6.65), viral loads ≥ 1000 copies/ml (AOR =2.2, 95% CI: 1.2-3.95), and CD4 cells <200 cells/mm3 were associated with depressive disorder and HAART containing efavirenz (2.3 95% CI: 1-4.58), consumption of coffee and tea (AOR =2.5, 95% CI; 1.45 -4.37) and female gender (AOR= 3.5 95% CI; 1.9-6.6), which were found to be predictors for anxiety disorders. Conclusion and Recommendations: The magnitude of depression in people living with HIV/AIDS on follow-up with antiretroviral therapy was found to be higher than the pooled estimated prevalence found in Ethiopia. Being female, viral load ≥ 1000 copies/ml, and CD4 cells <200 cells/mm3 were associated with the occurrence of depressive disorders, and a HAART regimen containing efavirenz, taking coffee and tea, and female sex were found to be predictors for anxiety disorder.