Prevalence and risks of depression and substance use among adults living with HIV in the Asia-Pacific region

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-1-2022

Abstract

Despite the mental health and substance use burden among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in the Asia-Pacific, data on their associations with HIV clinical outcomes are limited. This cross-sectional study of PLHIV at five sites assessed depression and substance use using PHQ-9 and ASSIST. Among 864 participants, 88% were male, median age was 39 years, 97% were on ART, 67% had an HIV viral load available and < 1000 copies/mL, 19% had moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms, and 80% had ever used at least one substance. Younger age, lower income, and suboptimal ART adherence were associated with moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms. Moderate-to-high risk substance use, found in 62% of users, was associated with younger age, being male, previous stressors, and suboptimal adherence. Our findings highlight the need for improved access to mental health and substance use services in HIV clinical settings.

Keywords

HIV, Asia, Depression, Substance use, ART adherence

Divisions

medicinedept

Funders

HIV-NAT,Queen Elizabeth Hospital,TREAT Asia, amfAR,Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre,University Malaya Medical Centre,National Institutes of Health,National Institute of Mental Health,National Institute on Drug Abuse,National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism,National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute,National Cancer Institute,National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases,U01AI069907,Fogarty International Center,National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases,amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research,Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development,Department of Health and Ageing, Australian Government,University of New South Wales

Publication Title

AIDS and Behavior

Volume

26

Issue

12

Publisher

Springer

Publisher Location

233 SPRING ST, NEW YORK, NY 10013 USA

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