Psychological distress, health and treatment-related factors among individuals initiating ART in Oromia, Ethiopia

Prevalence of common mental disorder and its association with perceived stigma and social support among people living with HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

When common mental disorders (CMD) co-occur with HIV/AIDS, they can complicate patient diagnosis, help-seeking behaviors, quality of life, treatment outcomes, and drug adherence. Thus, estimating the pooled prevalence of CMD and its association with perceived stigma and social support among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Ethiopia could potentially support policymakers and health professionals to understand the disease burden and set a solution to improve the mental well-being of PLWHA.

METHODS

Popular databases such as PubMed, SCOPUS, EMBASE, and Psych-INFO as well as Google Scholar, AJOL, CINAHL, PILOTS and Web of Science were searched for the relevant articles conducted in Ethiopia. We included cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort studies in the review. The Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software version 3.0 was used to pool the results of the included studies. The Q- and I2-statistics were used to assess the heterogeneity between the included studies. We employed a random-effects meta-analysis model to estimate the pooled prevalence of CMD and to account for heterogeneity among the included studies. We also conducted a leave-one-out analyses, and stratified meta-analyses by gender (male and female).

RESULTS

The studies included in this systematic review and meta-analysis were published between 2009 and 2021, recruiting a total of 5625 participants. The pooled estimated prevalence of CMD among PLWHA in Ethiopia was 26.1% (95% CI 18.1-36.0). The pooled estimated prevalence of CMD was significantly higher among females, at 39.5% (95% CI 21.2-39.0), compared to males, 26.9% (95% CI 15.6-31.7). Moreover, the pooled estimated prevalence of CMD in PLWHA ranged from 23.5 to 28.9% in the leave-one-out sensitivity analysis, indicating that the removal of any single study did not significantly affect the pooled estimate. The pooled effects (AOR) of Perceived HIV stigma and poor perceived social support on common mental disorder were 2.91, 95% CI (1.35-6.29) and 5.56, 95% CI (1.89-16.39), respectively.

CONCLUSION

People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) who received poor social support and those with HIV-related perceived stigma were found to have strong association with CMD. Therefore, it is advisable that all PLWHA attending ART clinic should be screened for CMD, social support and HIV-related perceived stigma.

Factors associated with late initiation of antiretroviral therapy in Iran's HIV/AIDS surveillance data

Early initiation of Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) in HIV patients is essential for effectively suppressing the viral load and prognosis. This study utilized National HIV/AIDS Surveillance Data in Iran to identify factors associated factors with the duration to initiate ART. This hybrid cross-sectional historical cohort study was conducted on Iran's National HIV/AIDS Surveillance Data from 2001 to 2019. Sociodemographic characteristics, route of transmission, HIV diagnosis date, and ART initiation date were collected. Multivariable linear and quantile regression models were employed to analyze the duration to initiate ART by considering predictor variables. This study included 17,062 patients (mean age 34.14 ± 10.77 years, 69.49% males). Multivariate quantile regression coefficients varied across different distributions of the dependent variable (i.e., duration to initiate ART) for several independent variables. Generally, male gender, injecting drug use (IDU), and having an HIV-positive spouse were significantly associated with an increased duration to initiate ART (p < 0.05). However, a significant decrease was observed in older patients, those with a university level education, men who had sex with men (MSM), and patients diagnosed after 2016 (p < 0.05). Despite improvements in the duration to initiate ART after implementing the WHO's 2016 program in Iran, various sociodemographic groups were still vulnerable to delayed ART initiation in the region. Therefore, programs including early testing, early ART initiation, active care, educational and cultural interventions, and appropriate incentives are required for these groups.

Prevalence of psychological distress among people living with HIV/AIDS: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Although people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are known to be vulnerable to psychological distress (PD), little is known about the prevalence of PD among PLWHA. A systematic literature search of several databases was conducted from inception to August 2021 focusing on studies reporting on PD symptoms among PLWHA. The overall prevalence estimates were pooled using a random-effects meta-analysis. Differences according to study-level characteristics were examined using stratified meta-analysis. We pooled and analyzed data from 15 studies comprising 5593 PLWHA. The prevalence rate of PD among PLWHA was 43.7% (95% Confidence Interval: 29.9-57.5%). Subgroup analyses by gender, country, CD4 count, employment status and ever attended school found no statistically significant differences in the prevalence of PD. Heterogeneity in the prevalence of PD among PLWHA was partially explained by the assessment tool. Further large-scale studies of high quality are warranted to identify risk factors of PD in PLWHA in their respective socio-cultural contexts.

Psychological Distress Increases 30-Fold Among People with HIV in the First Year on ART in Nigeria-a Call for Integrated Mental Health Services

BACKGROUND

Few studies have longitudinally assessed psychological distress among people with HIV (PWH) initiating ART in resource-limited settings.

METHOD

Baseline, 6-month, and 12-month psychological distress were measured in a Nigerian cohort newly initiating therapy; the relationship between baseline factors and psychological distress at 12 months was assessed; and the association between psychological distress at 12 months and care retention or immunologic failure was determined.

RESULTS

Among 563 patients, median age was 38 years (IQR: 33-46 years), 62% were female, and 51% were married. Psychological distress increased from 3% at baseline to 34% at 12 months. Age (aOR 1.28, 95% CI 1.06-1.56), female sex (aOR 2.89, 95% CI 1.93-4.33), lack of disclosure (aOR 4.32, 95% CI 2.48-7.51), and time on ART (6 months [aOR 6.91, 95% CI 3.14-15.18] and 12 months [aOR 32.63, 95% CI 16.54-64.36]) were associated with psychological distress while being married (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.30-0.61) was associated with reduced odds. Tweve-month psychological distress was associated with increased risk of immunologic failure (aOR 2.22, 95% CI 1.31-3.82).

CONCLUSION

The risk of psychological distress increased 30-fold in the first year on therapy in PWH in Nigeria.

New Insight into HIV-Related Psychological Distress: A Concept Analysis

Psychological distress is a frequently reported outcome measure in HIV research. However, because of its poor conceptualization, many studies only partially capture it because they focus solely on depression or anxiety based on symptoms. This study undertook a concept analysis of HIV-related psychological distress (HRPD) using Walker and Avant's method. The findings include HRPD's (a) attributes, including changes to emotional status, symptom burden, HIV disclosure distress and HIV-related stigma; (b) antecedents, including HIV-related stressors, cognitive appraisal of stressors and difficulty coping with the disease or treatment; and (c) consequences, including poor health outcomes and posttraumatic growth. Lazarus and Folkman's theory and the conservation of resources theory were adapted to further understand HRPD. This article provides insight into HRPD and increases the awareness of how to screen and assess HRPD at an early stage. The findings indicate the need to develop specific and rigorous measures and to provide appropriate interventions.

Factors Associated With Late Antiretroviral Therapy Initiation Among People Living With HIV in Southern Iran: A Historical Cohort Study

Objectives

Late initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) is associated with poor outcome among people living with HIV (PLHIV) and higher risk of transmission of infection. This study was conducted to identify the determinants of late ART initiation among PLHIV in Southern Iran.

Methods

A historical cohort study was conducted on 1,326 PLHIV of ≥15 years of age who were registered with the behavioral diseases counseling center (BDCC) in southern Iran from August 1997 to March 2021. Late ART initiation was defined as a CD4 cell count &lt;200 cells/mm3 or having a clinical AIDS diagnosis at the time of ART initiation. The required demographic and clinical data were collected from the patients' medical records. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to define late ART initiation associated factors.

Results

Late ART initiation was found among 81.9% of patients. Based on the results of the multivariate analysis, older age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.02, 95% CI = 1.00–1.04), being single (ORsingle/married = 1.80, 95% CI = 1.17–2.78), history of drug use (ORyes/no = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.02–2.62), year of ART initiation (OR2011−2013/2018−2021 = 3.65, 95% CI = 2.28–5.86), and possible route of transmission (ORdruginjection/sexual = 7.34, 95% CI = 1.16–46.21) were directly associated with the risk of late ART initiation.

Conclusions

The results show that the prevalence of late ART initiation was alarmingly high. For better infection control and better prognosis of infection, people at high risk need to be provided with timely services (e.g., diagnosis, treatment, training, and social support).

Psychological Distress and Its Correlates among Newly Diagnosed People Living with HIV in Northwest Ethiopia: Ordinal Logistic Regression Analyses

Background

Although there is a high burden of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), studies on mental health issues among people living with HIV are scarce. The study addressed the transition to "test and treat" guidelines for HIV, which makes it unique regarding its evaluation of psychological distress amongst newly initiated people living with HIV in the test and treat era.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 689 people newly diagnosed with HIV. Symptoms of psychological distress were measured using the Kessler-10 psychological distress assessment scale. Factors associated with psychological distress were captured using interviewer-administered questionnaires. Ordinal logistic regression analyses were employed to identify predictors of psychological distress.

Results

The magnitude of psychological distress was 58.63% (95% CI = 55.2%-62.3%). The severity of the psychological distress of which, 17.42% had severe distress. Psychological distress was observed more among female patients (β = 0.47, AOR = 1.59, 95% CI = 1.12, 2.27), patients presented with opportunistic infections (β = 0.50, AOR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.03, 2.66) and being non-working functional status (β = 0.99, AOR = 2.70, 95% CI = 1.64, 4.45). Moreover, patients who were malnourished (β = 0.46, AOR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.09, 2.26), having good level of knowledge on HIV prevention (β = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.55, 0.39, 0.78), presented with sexually transmitted infection (β = 0.48, AOR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.01, 2.58), history of alcohol use (β = 0.44, AOR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.09, 2.21), perceived stigma (β = 0.08, AOR = 1.09 95% CI = 1.04, 1.15) and treated in health centers (β = 0.55, AOR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.25, 2.41) had higher odds of psychological distress.

Conclusion

The large majority of newly diagnosed HIV patients suffered from psychological distress. An increased vulnerability was observed among females, those with opportunistic and sexually transmitted infections, those having poor functional status and malnourished. Furthermore, HIV patients treated in health centers, those who had history of alcohol use and patients with high level of HIV related stigma are more negatively affected by the HIV diagnosis. Hence, all intervention strategies should target all the identified predictors.

Magnitude and predictors of common mental disorder among people with HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Common mental disorders are frequent psychiatric comorbid conditions among people with HIV/AIDS. The presence of such psychiatric disorders negatively affects the treatment adherence, viral load suppression, quality of life, treatment outcomes and functionality of people with HIV/AIDS. However, available studies in Ethiopia have a great variation and inconsistency of reported results have been observed regarding the magnitude and associated factors of common mental disorder. Thus, conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis of existing literatures can have a paramount importance to show its summarized figure.

METHODS

Literatures search was performed using databases (PubMed/Medline, Science Direct and PsycINFO. Grey literatures were also searched from Google and Google Scholar. Data were extracted from primary studies using a data extraction format prepared in Microsoft Excel and exported to STATA-version 14 statistical software for analysis. The I2 test was used to assess the heterogeneity of primary articles. The result of the test showed that there was heterogeneity between primary studies. This leads us to execute a random effect meta-analysis to estimate the pooled prevalence of common mental disorder with corresponding 95% confidence interval.

RESULTS

A total of 13 primary studies comply with the inclusion criteria were included in this systematic review. The pooled prevalence of common mental disorder was found to be 28.83% (95% CI: 17.93, 39.73) among people with HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia. The highest prevalence of common mental disorder (35.20%) was observed among studies in which Kessler-10 was used as a screening tool. Single marital status (OR = 1.83; 95%CI: 1.03, 3.27), HIV/AIDS-related stigma (OR = 2.21; 95%CI: 1.68, 2.90) and current job unavailability (OR = 1.38; 95%CI: 1.01, 1.88) had statistically significant association with common mental disorder.

CONCLUSION

The result of this review showed that nearly one among three individuals with HIV/AIDS is suffering from common mental disorder in Ethiopia. This calls a need to integrate the mental health and psycho-social support into the HIV/AIDS care.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO- CRD42019132402. Registered on 05/08/2019.