Abstract
Understanding the experience of depression in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) could aid in the detection and treatment of the disorder. Yet, there is limited knowledge of the subjective experience of depression amongst PLWH in low- and middle-income countries despite high rates of this disorder in this population. In the current study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with depressed adults living with HIV attending a primary infectious disease clinic in South Africa. Interview transcripts were thematically analyzed. The construct of depression was consistent with DSM-IV criteria; however, the symptom presentation was distinctive. Somatic symptoms were most prominent in participants' initial presentations because participants perceived them as medically relevant. Affective, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms were not readily reported as participants did not perceive these symptoms as pertinent to their medical treatment. We identified several idioms of distress that could assist in screening for depression in this population. A valid, contextually developed screener for depression in PLWH awaits further investigation. Such a measure could play a key role in formulating a logistically feasible method of detection and treatment for depression in this population.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 59-62 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | AIDS Care - Psychological and Socio-Medical Aspects of AIDS/HIV |
| Volume | 27 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 15 2015 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Keywords
- AIDS
- Depression
- HIV
- Low- and middle-income countries
- South Africa
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
- Health(social science)
- Social Psychology
Cite this
Understanding the experience and manifestation of depression in people living with HIV/AIDS in South Africa. / Andersen, L.; Kagee, A.; O'Cleirigh, C.; Safren, Steven; Joska, J.
In: AIDS Care - Psychological and Socio-Medical Aspects of AIDS/HIV, Vol. 27, No. 1, 15.01.2015, p. 59-62.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Understanding the experience and manifestation of depression in people living with HIV/AIDS in South Africa
AU - Andersen, L.
AU - Kagee, A.
AU - O'Cleirigh, C.
AU - Safren, Steven
AU - Joska, J.
PY - 2015/1/15
Y1 - 2015/1/15
N2 - Understanding the experience of depression in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) could aid in the detection and treatment of the disorder. Yet, there is limited knowledge of the subjective experience of depression amongst PLWH in low- and middle-income countries despite high rates of this disorder in this population. In the current study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with depressed adults living with HIV attending a primary infectious disease clinic in South Africa. Interview transcripts were thematically analyzed. The construct of depression was consistent with DSM-IV criteria; however, the symptom presentation was distinctive. Somatic symptoms were most prominent in participants' initial presentations because participants perceived them as medically relevant. Affective, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms were not readily reported as participants did not perceive these symptoms as pertinent to their medical treatment. We identified several idioms of distress that could assist in screening for depression in this population. A valid, contextually developed screener for depression in PLWH awaits further investigation. Such a measure could play a key role in formulating a logistically feasible method of detection and treatment for depression in this population.
AB - Understanding the experience of depression in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) could aid in the detection and treatment of the disorder. Yet, there is limited knowledge of the subjective experience of depression amongst PLWH in low- and middle-income countries despite high rates of this disorder in this population. In the current study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with depressed adults living with HIV attending a primary infectious disease clinic in South Africa. Interview transcripts were thematically analyzed. The construct of depression was consistent with DSM-IV criteria; however, the symptom presentation was distinctive. Somatic symptoms were most prominent in participants' initial presentations because participants perceived them as medically relevant. Affective, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms were not readily reported as participants did not perceive these symptoms as pertinent to their medical treatment. We identified several idioms of distress that could assist in screening for depression in this population. A valid, contextually developed screener for depression in PLWH awaits further investigation. Such a measure could play a key role in formulating a logistically feasible method of detection and treatment for depression in this population.
KW - AIDS
KW - Depression
KW - HIV
KW - Low- and middle-income countries
KW - South Africa
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84911456130&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84911456130&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/09540121.2014.951306
DO - 10.1080/09540121.2014.951306
M3 - Article
VL - 27
SP - 59
EP - 62
JO - AIDS Care - Psychological and Socio-Medical Aspects of AIDS/HIV
JF - AIDS Care - Psychological and Socio-Medical Aspects of AIDS/HIV
SN - 0954-0121
IS - 1
ER -