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Family correlates of depression among hiv positive patients attending family medicine clinic at University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria


A. Amoko
B.A. Ayinmode
P.O. Ajiboye
Olafimihan K. Olagunju
A.G. Sule

Abstract

Background information: HIV infection may impact negatively on family relationship and vice versa. Members of the family of HIV positive patients may become  frustrated because of the stigma of having a family member with HIV infection, and the burden of having to care for the patient. This can result into the family members becoming unsupportive and taking out their angers on the patients which in turn can lead to psychosocial problems such as depression in the patients. This study determined the prevalence of depression and its association with family factors (family functioning, family member awareness of HIV status, support for HIV treatment and satisfaction with the support for treatment) among adult HIV positive patients attending Family Medicine Clinic at University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Ilorin, Nigeria.
Subject, material and method: A hospital based descriptive cross-sectional study was done among 350 systematically randomly selected adult HIV patients over a period of 6 months. Interviewer administered structured and semi-structured questionnaires were used to obtain information. Information on prevalence and severity of depression was obtained using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) while Family APGAR questionnaire was used to determine the family functioning. Data were obtained and analysed using SPSS-17. Chi-square and Fisher's Exact test were used to determine the degree of association between the variables.  P-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Result: The prevalence of depression among the respondents was 33.4%. There was statistically significant association between depression prevalence and dysfunctional family (p-value=0.006).
Conclusion: Family dysfunction is a risk factor for depression among HIV positive patients. Therefore family members should be properly involved in management of HIV positive patients.

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