title: The prevalence, correlates, and costs of depression in people living with HIV/AIDS in Ontario: implications for service directions.
abstract: As new technologies extend the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS (PHA), the need increases for services that optimize their quality-of-life cost effectively. This study of PHAs (n = 297) in Ontario, Canada, examined the prevalence of depression, and its association with quality-of-life, coping strategies, social support, and use of health and social services. Results showed that depression was widespread (54.2%) and largely unrelated to demographic characteristics, but associated with diminished health status, health-related quality-of-life, and coping strategies. Depressed PHAs used significantly more crisis health care and related services, and community-based HIV/AIDS service organizations (ASOs). Findings suggest quality-of-life of PHAs may be improved by expanding the capacity of ASO workers to recognize and address depression, including helping depressed PHA access appropriate medication and sustain medication regimes.
authors.affiliation: Ontario AIDS Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Lea
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Narciso
authors.forename: Gina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Browne
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Weir
authors.forename: Amiram
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gafni
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D015897:Comorbidity; D003863:Depression / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D005102:Health Expenditures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors