Abstract summary 

Few studies have longitudinally assessed psychological distress among people with HIV (PWH) initiating ART in resource-limited settings.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.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).The risk of psychological distress increased 30-fold in the first year on therapy in PWH in Nigeria.

Authors & Co-authors:  Pierce Leslie J LJ Regan Susan S Idigbe Ifeoma I Adeola Juliet J Musa Zaidat Z Ezechi Oliver O Oladeji Bibilola B Gureje Oye O Freedberg Kenneth A KA Okonkwo Prosper P Ahonkhai Aima A AA

Study Outcome 

Source Link: Visit source