Original Research

Prevalence and correlates of common mental disorders in people living with HIV in primary health care facilities in Ekurhuleni district

Aniekan Edet, Samuel Agbo, Afolake A. Amodu, Nwabisa N. Edet
African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine | Vol 16, No 1 | a4568 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/phcfm.v16i1.4568 | © 2024 Aniekan Edet, Samuel Agbo, Afolake A. Amodu, Nwabisa N. Edet | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 20 June 2024 | Published: 24 October 2024

About the author(s)

Aniekan Edet, Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; and Limpopo Department of Health, Donald Fraser Hospital, Thohoyandou, South Africa
Samuel Agbo, Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; and Family Medicine and Primary Care Unit, Ekurhuleni Health District, Ekurhuleni, South Africa
Afolake A. Amodu, Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; and Family Medicine and Primary Care Unit, Ekurhuleni Health District, Ekurhuleni, South Africa
Nwabisa N. Edet, Department of Advanced Nursing Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa; and Gauteng Department of Health, Ekurhuleni Health District, Ekurhuleni, South Africa

Abstract

Background: There is paucity of data regarding the prevalence of common mental disorders (CMDs) in people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Ekurhuleni Health District (EHD), South Africa. Also, there is an association between CMDs and poor HIV treatment outcomes. Guidelines therefore recommend that healthcare practitioners screen for CMDs in PLHIV.

Aim: To determine the prevalence and correlates of CMDs in PLHIV in primary health care facilities in Ekurhuleni district.

Setting: Seven primary health facilities in Ekurhuleni district.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in which data were collected from 403 randomly selected participants, using a questionnaire that incorporated the scores of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9, generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)-7 and substance use disorder (SUD) criteria of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM 5). The proportion screening positive for CMDs was calculated. ‘R’ statistical software was used for univariate and multivariate analysis, with a confidence interval (CI) of 95%.

Results: Most participants (63%) were female and the mean age was 43 ± 11 years. Forty per cent of participants screened positive for CMDs, 16.6%, 15.1% and 24.1% screened positive for depression, GAD and SUD, respectively. Common mental disorders were associated with poor adherence and HIV non-suppression, while increasing age and being female were associated with reduced risk of CMDs. The risk of severe SUDs in males was 11 times compared to females. During assessment, clinicians screened only 16%, 14% and 40% of the cohort for depression, GAD and SUDs, respectively.

Conclusion: The prevalence of CMDs remains high. Adherence to recommendations to screen for CMDs in PLHIV is low.

Contribution: This study reveals a low CMD screening rate, estimates the prevalence of CMDs in PLHIV in Ekurhuleni district, and its impact.


Keywords

common mental disorders; depression; generalised anxiety disorder; substance-use disorder; PLHIV; CMDs; PHQ-9; GAD-7

Sustainable Development Goal

Goal 3: Good health and well-being

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