Effects of Maternal Suicidal Ideation on Child Cognitive Development: A Longitudinal Analysis.

Journal: AIDS and behavior

Volume: 24

Issue: 8

Year of Publication: 2020

Affiliated Institutions:  Institute of Global Health, University College London, London, UK. helen.mebrahtu.@ucl.ac.uk. Institute of Global Health, University College London, London, UK. MRC Tropical Epidemiology Group, School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK. World Education Inc./Bantwana (WEI/B), Harare, Zimbabwe. Centre for Sexual Health HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR) Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe.

Abstract summary 

This study aimed to assess the association between suicidal ideation among mothers living with HIV in Zimbabwe and the cognitive development of their children. Participants were mother-child dyads recruited from two rural districts in Zimbabwe. Data were collected at baseline and 12 months follow-up. Suicidal ideation was assessed using item-10 from the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale. Mixed-effects linear regression was used to assess the association of child cognitive outcomes at follow-up (using the Mullen scales of early learning) with maternal suicidal ideation. Mothers with suicidal ideation at baseline (n = 171) tended to be younger, unmarried, experienced moderate to severe hunger, had elevated parental stress and depression symptoms compared with non-suicidal mothers (n = 391). At follow-up, emerging maternal suicidal ideation was associated with poorer child cognitive outcomes (adjusted mean difference - 6.1; 95% CI - 10.3 to - 1.8; p = 0.03). Suicidal ideation affects child cognitive development and should be addressed, particularly in HIV positive mothers.

Authors & Co-authors:  Mebrahtu H H Sherr L L Simms V V Weiss H A HA Rehman A M AM Ndlovu P P Cowan F M FM

Study Outcome 

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Statistics
Citations :  Sherr L, Lampe F, Fisher M, Arthur G, Anderson J, Zetler S, et al. Suicidal ideation in UK HIV clinic attenders. AIDS. 2008;22(13):1651–1658.
Authors :  7
Identifiers
Doi : 10.1007/s10461-020-02802-8
SSN : 1573-3254
Study Population
Female,Mothers
Mesh Terms
Adult
Other Terms
Africa;Child development;HIV/AIDS;Maternal mental health;Suicidal ideation
Study Design
Longitudinal Study
Study Approach
,Mixed Methods
Country of Study
Zimbabwe
Publication Country
United States