Burden of depression among impoverished HIV-positive women in Peru.
OBJECTIVE
In resource-poor settings, the mental health burden among HIV-positive women is exacerbated by poverty. We sought to describe the extent, risk factors, and experience of depression among impoverished HIV-positive women living in Lima, Peru.


METHODS
This is a case series of 78 HIV-positive women in Lima, Peru. We measured depression, stigma, and social support and performed a multivariable analysis to identify factors associated with depression.


RESULTS
Among 78 HIV-positive patients, 68% were depressed. Depression and suicidal ideation were rarely diagnosed by providers. In multivariable analysis, HIV-related stigma and food scarcity were associated with depression.


CONCLUSIONS
In our cohort of HIV-positive women in Lima, Peru, poverty and socioeconomic vulnerability contributed to depression. Findings highlight the heavy burden of depression in this cohort of poor women and the need to incorporate mental health services as an integral component of HIV care.
Wu
Diana Ying
DY
Stanford University Hospital, USA.
Munoz
Maribel
M
Espiritu
Betty
B
Zeladita
Jhon
J
Sanchez
Eduardo
E
Callacna
Miriam
M
Rojas
Christian
C
Arevalo
Jorge
J
Caldas
Adolfo
A
Shin
Sonya
S
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006678:HIV; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D010568:Peru / Q000453:epidemiology; D011203:Poverty; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014505:Urban Population