Publications

Depressive disorders are notably more prevalent among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA),occurring at rates three times higher than in the general population. In Uganda, the reportedprevalence of depressive disorders among PLWHA ranges between 20% and 40%, with stigmaaffecting about 34% of this demographic. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and identifyfactors associated with major depression and stigma among HIV-positive patients attending theART clinic at Soroti Regional Referral Hospital (SRRH). Conducted as a descriptive cross-sectionalhospital-based study, the research utilized a simple random sampling technique to select 138participants aged 18 years and older, already diagnosed with HIV and attending the SRRH ARTclinic. Critically ill or admitted individuals were excluded from the study. The majority ofrespondents were female (60.9%), aged between 31 and 45 years (45.7%), and had attained primaryschool education (54%). The study found a 16.7% prevalence of current major depressive episodesamong PLWHA, with 56.5% experiencing recurrent major depressive episodes. Regarding stigma,the prevalence of minimal, mild, and moderate stigma was 65.2%, 29%, and 5.8%, respectively.Factors such as male gender, being divorced or widowed, and being unemployed or engaged inpeasant work were statistically associated with any form of major depressive episode.Additionally, recent initiation of ART was linked to stigma among this population. The findingsunderscored the frequent occurrence of major depression and stigma among PLWHA, which wereinfluenced by factors such as changes in marital status, recent ART initiation, and limitedemployment opportunities. The study recommended institutionalized and personalizedcounseling, the formation of social or peer support groups, community education initiativesregarding major depression and stigma among PLWHA, and regular patient follow-ups to mitigatethe incidence and prevalence of major depression and stigma in this vulnerable segment of thepopulation