Depressive symptoms among HIV-positive pregnant women in Thailand.
OBJECTIVE
To examine predictors of depressive symptoms among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive, pregnant women in Thailand.


METHODS
Correlational, cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Data were collected at prenatal clinics in five hospitals in Thailand from January 2004 to January 2006. One hundred twenty-seven HIV-positive pregnant women completed questionnaires in Thai on depressive symptoms, self-esteem, emotional support, physical symptoms, and demographics. Simultaneous multiple regression was used to analyze predictors of depressive symptoms.


RESULTS
Seventy-eight percent of the 127 participants reported depressive symptoms to some degree. Physical symptoms (beta= .192, p<.05) were positively associated with depressive symptoms, but self-esteem (beta=-.442, p<.001), emotional support (beta=-.193, p<.01), and financial status (beta=-.209, p<.01) were negatively correlated with depressive symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
The study results have added new knowledge about depressive symptoms and their predictors in HIV-positive pregnant women in Thailand.


CONCLUSIONS
Depressive symptoms have been associated with faster progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome among HIV-positive individuals. The high rate of depression in our study suggests that HIV-positive pregnant women in Thailand should all be screened for depressive symptoms. Causes of physical symptoms should be identified and treated. Emotional support and self-esteem should be strengthened for HIV-positive pregnant Thai women.
Ross
Ratchneewan
R
College of Nursing, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44221, USA. rross1@kent.edu
Sawatphanit
Wilaiphan
W
Zeller
Richard
R
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008960:Models, Psychological; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000523:psychology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D012944:Social Support; D013240:Stereotyping; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology