title: Depressive Symptoms and Associated Factors among People Living with HIV/AIDS.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of depressive symptoms and associated variables among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in a specialized treatment center in a city located in southern Brazil. A cross-sectional study was conducted using the Beck Depression Inventory to assess the presence of depressive symptoms. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 53.5% among the surveyed population, which supports the idea that depressive symptoms are more common among PLWHA, mainly if compared with the general population. It was observed that 57.7% of the study participants were with depressive symptoms and did not take any psychiatric medication and 100% did not undergo psychotherapy, which indicates undertreatment. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean CD4 count between patients with depressive symptoms (484.1  ±  353) and patients without depressive symptoms (528.4  ±  263). Further actions should be taken to improve the care for PLWHA. The interface between psychology, psychiatry, and internal medicine is of utmost importance to provide a more humanized care, in which the psychosocial, psychological, and psychiatric aspects are not neglected.
authors.affiliation: Health Science Master Degree Program, University of Southern Santa Catarina, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
authors.forename: Márcio José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Dal-Bó
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Southern Santa Catarina, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
authors.forename: André Luciano
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Manoel
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Southern Santa Catarina, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
authors.forename: Arthur Onofre Beltram
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Filho
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Southern Santa Catarina, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
authors.forename: Bibiana Quatrin Tiellet da
authors.initials: BQ
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Southern Santa Catarina, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
authors.forename: Yuri Souza
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Cardoso
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Southern Santa Catarina, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
authors.forename: Josué
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cortez
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Southern Santa Catarina, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lucas
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tramujas
authors.affiliation: Health Science Master Degree Program, University of Southern Santa Catarina, Santa Catarina, Brazil rosemaurici@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Rosemeri Maurici da
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Silva
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: HIV/AIDS; beck depression inventory; depressive symptoms; mood disorders