Relationship between depression and quality of life in persons with HIV infection in Nigeria.
OBJECTIVE
Despite the fact that two-thirds of all the people with HIV live in sub-Saharan Africa, little is known about the emotional state and quality of life (QOL) of subjects with HIV in this region. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between clinical depression and quality of life in a group of HIV sero-positive subjects in Nigeria.


METHODS
Subjects with HIV infection (n = 87) completed a questionnaire detailing sociodemographic and HIV related variables. The subjects were assessed for the diagnosis of depression using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) and their subjective health related quality of life (QOL) was assessed using the short version of the WHO quality of life scale (WHOQOL-BREF).


RESULTS
There were 25 (28.7%) subjects with diagnosis of depression. Lower educational level correlated with poorer QOL in all the domains of WHOQOL-BREF except the "social relationship" domain. Also, poor social support correlated with poorer QOL scores on domains of "physical health" and "social relationship" and presence of medical problems was significantly associated with poorer scores on domains of "physical health" and "psychological health." Diagnosis of depression was significantly correlated with poorer QOL in all domains except the "social relationship" domain.


CONCLUSIONS
Poorer health related QOL in Nigerian subjects with HIV was associated with depression, lower educational and socioeconomic levels, and poor social support. Early identification and referral of patients with depression needs to be incorporated into intervention programs designed for HIV infected individuals in this region.
Adewuya
Abiodun O
AO
Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Lagos State University, Ikeja, Nigeria. biodunwuya@yahoo.com
Afolabi
Mohammed O
MO
Ola
Bola A
BA
Ogundele
Olorunfemi A
OA
Ajibare
Adeola O
AO
Oladipo
Bamidele F
BF
Fakande
Ibiyemi
I
D000328:Adult; D015897:Comorbidity; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D016730:Program Development; D011788:Quality of Life; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012923:Social Class; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires