European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

THE PREVALENCE OF DEPRESSION AMONG HIV POSITIVE PATIENTS IN BSHAIR TEACHING HOSPITAL IN KHARTOUM - SUDAN

Hussam A. M. Nour, Hashim E. Elmansi, Sana E. Abdalla* and Asmaa Abdulaal

ABSTRACT

Background: Depression also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects feeling, thinking and behavior and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems, it is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Depression is not a normal part of growing older, symptoms of depression may be different or less obvious in older adults, such as memory difficulties or personality changes, physical aches or pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, sleep problems or aches. Depression may require long-term treatment but don't get discouraged. Most people with depression feel better with medication, psychological counseling or both. HIV/AIDS (HIV) is one of the most devastating illnesses that humans have ever faced. It is a chronic, potentially life-threatening condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus Depression is the most common neuropsychiatric complication of HIV disease. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of depression among HIV patients in Bashair Teaching Hospital in Khartoum State. Methods: This is a cross sectional hospital based study conducted to measure the prevalence of depression among HIV patients in Bashair Hospital. A sample of 80, 46 were males and the other 34 were females were interviewed by structured questionnaire. Results: The prevalence of depression among HIV patients in Bashair Teaching Hospital was 19 % and that the percentage of males who have depression is higher than the females and the difference is not significant. The highest was in patients who were educated until lower standard (primary and secondary school). There is an association between depression and the duration of diagnosis. There is no association between depression and the monthly salary. Conclusion: The prevalence of depression in HIV patients is 19 %.

Keywords: Depression, HIV, AIDS, Neuropsychiatric.