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Ofori-Atta A, Reynolds NR, Antwi S, Renner L, Nichols JS, Lartey M, Amissah K, Tettey JK, Alhassan A, Ofori IP, Catlin AC, Gan G, Kyriakides TC, Paintsil E. Prevalence and correlates of depression among caregivers of children living with HIV in Ghana: findings from the Sankofa pediatric disclosure study. AIDS Care 2018; 31:283-292. [PMID: 30360643 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2018.1537463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Prior studies show an association between caregiver depression and child health outcomes. There has been little examination of depression among caregivers of HIV-infected children in sub-Saharan countries where pediatric HIV is concentrated. Using baseline data collected in the pediatric HIV disclosure intervention trial, Sankofa, we examined the prevalence and factors associated with depression among caregivers (N = 446) of children infected with HIV in Ghana. Data were analyzed with descriptive and regression analyses. The mean age of the caregivers was 42.2 ± 10.4 years. Eighty percent of the caregivers were female and 59% were HIV-infected. Twenty-eight percent (n = 126) of the caregivers were found to have mild to severe depression. In the adjusted model, factors significantly associated with caregiver depression included: HIV-positive caregiver status (P = 0.04), low income (P = 0.02), lower social support, (P = 0.01), lower HIV knowledge, (P = 0.01), worse HIV illness perceptions (P≤0.001), and greater perceived HIV stigma (P≤0.001). Although we found a high prevalence of depression among our study participants, several of the risks factors identified are modifiable and amenable to interventions that are locally available and affordable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Ofori-Atta
- a Department of Psychiatry , University of Ghana School of Medicine and Dentistry and Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital Accra , Accra , Ghana
| | - Nancy R Reynolds
- b School of Nursing , Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Sampson Antwi
- c Department of Child Health, School of Medical Sciences , Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital , Kumasi , Ghana
| | - Lorna Renner
- d Department of Child Health , University of Ghana School of Medicine and Dentistry and Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital Accra , Ghana
| | - Justin S Nichols
- e Department of Pediatrics , Yale School of Medicine , New Haven , CT , USA
| | - Margaret Lartey
- f Department of Medicine , University of Ghana School of Medicine and Dentistry and Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital Accra , Accra , Ghana
| | - Kofi Amissah
- c Department of Child Health, School of Medical Sciences , Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital , Kumasi , Ghana
| | - Jonas Kusah Tettey
- d Department of Child Health , University of Ghana School of Medicine and Dentistry and Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital Accra , Ghana
| | - Amina Alhassan
- c Department of Child Health, School of Medical Sciences , Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital , Kumasi , Ghana
| | - Irene Pokuaa Ofori
- c Department of Child Health, School of Medical Sciences , Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital , Kumasi , Ghana
| | - Ann C Catlin
- g Rosen Center for Advanced Computing , Purdue University , West Lafayette , IN , USA
| | - Geliang Gan
- h Yale Center for Analytical Sciences , Yale School of Public Health , New Haven , CT , USA
| | - Tassos C Kyriakides
- h Yale Center for Analytical Sciences , Yale School of Public Health , New Haven , CT , USA
| | - Elijah Paintsil
- e Department of Pediatrics , Yale School of Medicine , New Haven , CT , USA.,i Department of Pharmacology , Yale School of Medicine , New Haven , CT , USA.,j Department of Epidemiology & Public Health , Yale School of Medicine , New Haven , CT , USA
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Kuo C, Cluver L, Casale M, Lane T. Cumulative effects of HIV illness and caring for children orphaned by AIDS on anxiety symptoms among adults caring for children in HIV-endemic South Africa. AIDS Patient Care STDS 2014; 28:318-26. [PMID: 24901465 DOI: 10.1089/apc.2013.0225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Adults caring for children in HIV-endemic communities are at risk for poor psychological outcomes. However, we still have a limited understanding of how various HIV impacts--including caregiver's own HIV illness, responsibilities of caring for a child orphaned by AIDS, or both--affect psychological outcomes among caregivers. Furthermore, few studies have explored the relationship between stigma, HIV, and psychological outcomes among caregivers of children in HIV-endemic communities. A cross-sectional survey conducted from 2009 to 2010 assessed anxiety among 2477 caregivers of children in HIV-endemic South Africa. Chi-square tested differences in anxiety among caregivers living with HIV, caregivers of a child orphaned by AIDS, and caregivers affected with both conditions. Multivariate logistic regressions identified whether the relationship between HIV impacts and anxiety remained after controlling for socio-demographic co-factors. Mediation analysis tested the relationship between stigma, HIV, and anxiety. The odds of meeting threshold criteria for clinically relevant anxiety symptoms were two and a half times greater among caregivers living with HIV compared to nonaffected caregivers. The odds of meeting threshold criteria for clinically relevant anxiety symptoms were greatest among caregivers living with HIV and caring for a child orphaned by AIDS. Exposure to AIDS-related stigma partially mediated the relationship between HIV and anxiety. Interventions are needed to address caregiver psychological health, particularly among caregivers affected with both conditions of living with HIV and caring for a child orphaned by AIDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Kuo
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Lucie Cluver
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Social Policy and Intervention, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Health Economics and HIV/AIDS Research Division, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Marisa Casale
- Health Economics and HIV/AIDS Research Division, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Department of Psychology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Tyler Lane
- Department of Social Policy and Intervention, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Health Economics and HIV/AIDS Research Division, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
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Kuo C, Reddy MK, Operario D, Cluver L, Stein DJ. Posttraumatic stress symptoms among adults caring for orphaned children in HIV-endemic South Africa. AIDS Behav 2013; 17:1755-63. [PMID: 23539187 PMCID: PMC3664126 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-013-0461-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
There is growing evidence that mental health is a significant issue among families affected by AIDS-related parental deaths. The current study examined posttraumatic stress symptoms and identified risk factors among adults caring for AIDS-orphaned and other-orphaned children in an HIV-endemic South African community. A representative community sample of adults caring for children (N = 1,599) was recruited from Umlazi Township. Of the 116 participants who reported that a traumatic event was still bothering them, 19 % reported clinically significant posttraumatic stress symptoms. Of the 116 participants, caregivers of AIDS-orphaned and other-orphaned children were significantly more likely to meet threshold criteria for PTSD (28 %) compared to caregivers of non-orphaned children (10 %). Household receipt of an old age pension was identified as a possible protective factor for PTSD symptoms among caregivers of orphaned children. Services are needed to address PTSD symptoms among caregivers of orphaned children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Kuo
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University, 121 South Main Street, Box G-S121-Floor 4, Providence, RI, USA.
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Kuo C, Operario D, Cluver L. Depression among carers of AIDS-orphaned and other-orphaned children in Umlazi Township, South Africa. Glob Public Health 2011; 7:253-69. [PMID: 22081931 PMCID: PMC3273578 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2011.626436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
South Africa faces the challenge of supporting the well-being of adults caring for growing numbers of AIDS-orphaned children. These adults play a critical role in responses to the epidemic, but little information exists in regard to their mental health needs. This paper reports on findings from n=1599 adults, recruited through representative household sampling, who serve as primary carers for children in Umlazi Township, an HIV-endemic community. Overall, 22% of participants were carers of AIDS-orphaned children, 11% were carers of other-orphaned children and 67% were carers of non-orphaned children. Prevalence of depression was 30.3%. Orphan carers, regardless of whether they cared for AIDS-orphaned or other-orphaned children, were significantly more likely than carers of non-orphaned children to meet the clinical threshold for depression (35.2% vs. 27.9%, p < 0.01). In multivariate logistic regressions, food insecurity and being a female carer were identified as additional risk factors for greater depression. In contrast, households with access to running water and households dependent on salaries as the main source of income were identified as protective factors for disparities in depression. Mental health interventions are urgently needed to address an increased risk for depression among all orphan carers, not just those caring for AIDS-orphaned children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Kuo
- Department of Psychiatry, Rhode Island Hospital and Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Box G-S121-Floor 4, Providence, Rhode Island 02903, USA, Phone: +1 401 863 6630, Fax: +1 401 863 6647
| | - Don Operario
- Department of Community Health and Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University, Box G-S121-Floor 5, Providence, Rhode Island 02903, USA, Phone: +1 401 863 6657, Fax: +1 401 863 6697
| | - Lucie Cluver
- Department of Social Policy and Social Work, Oxford University, 32 Wellington Square, Oxford OX1 2ER, England, Phone: +44 01865 270325, Fax: +44 01865 270324
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Abstract
In South Africa, an estimated 2.5 million children have been orphaned by AIDS and other causes of adult mortality. Although there is a growing body of research on the well-being of South African orphaned children, few research studies have examined the health of adult individuals caring for children in HIV-endemic communities. The cross-sectional survey assessed prevalence of general health and functioning (based on Short-Form 36 version 2 scale), depression (based on Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale), anxiety (using Kessler-10 scale), and post-traumatic stress (using the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire) among a representative community sample of adults caring for children in Umlazi Township, an HIV-endemic community in South Africa. Of 1599 respondents, 33% (n=530) were carers of orphaned children. Results showed that, overall, carers reported poor general health and functioning and elevated levels of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress. Carers of orphaned children reported significantly poorer general health and functioning and higher rates of depression and post-traumatic stress compared with carers of non-orphaned children. In multivariate analyses, orphan carer and non-orphan carer differences in general health were accounted for by age, gender, education, economic assets, and source of income, but differences in depression were independent of these cofactors. Interventions are needed to address physical and mental health of carers in general. Greater health problems among orphan carers appeared to be fully explained by socioeconomic characteristics, which offer opportunities for targeting of programs. More research is needed to understand determinants of mental health disparities among orphan carers, which were not explained by socioeconomic characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Kuo
- Department of Psychiatry, Rhode Island Hospital and Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, USA.
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