Depressive symptoms among HIV-positive postpartum women in Thailand.
Depressive symptoms have been linked to faster progression to AIDS in HIV-positive individuals. The purpose of this correlational, cross-sectional study was to examine the prevalence and predictors of depressive symptoms among postpartum women in Thailand who are HIV-positive. Data were collected at postpartum outpatient units in four hospitals in Thailand from June 2005 to December 2007. Eighty-five HIV-positive postpartum women completed questionnaires on depressive symptoms, self-esteem, emotional support, physical symptoms, infant health status, and demographics. Results showed that 74.1% of the participants reported depressive symptoms. Self-esteem, infant health status, and education were negatively associated with depressive symptoms. Because of the high rates of depression in our study, all HIV-positive postpartum women in Thailand should be screened for depressive symptoms.
College of Nursing, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44221, USA. rross1@kent.edu
Ratchneewan
R
Ross
Wilaiphan
W
Sawatphanit
Masayuki
M
Mizuno
Keiko
K
Takeo
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology