Social Determinants of Depression: Social Cohesion, Negative Life Events, and Depression Among People Living with HIV/Aids in Nigeria, West Africa
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Date
2014
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of MCH and AIDS
Abstract
Background: People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) continue to face persistent and deep rooted social
barriers. Incidentally, studies in social determinants of depression are very limited, necessitating this study,
which examined social determinants of depression and the impact of these determinants on depression.
Methods: This was a hospital based, cross sectional descriptive study of three hundred adult HIV/AIDS
patients, attending the HIV clinic of Kwara State Specialist Hospital, Sobi, Ilorin, Nigeria. Depressive
symptoms were measured by the PHQ-9 rating scale. Three variables of social determinants of
depression: socio-economic status (years of school and self-reported economic status of family), social
cohesion, and negative life events were examined.
Results: The self-reported economic status of the family varied from good 35(11.7%), average 162(54%),
and poor among 103(34.3%) of the respondents. Social cohesion was low in 199(66.3%), fair in 65(21.7%)
and high among 36(12%) of the respondents. There was significant association between social cohesion,
negative life events, and depression.
Conclusion and Global Health Implications: Income was the most significant socio-economic
determinant. Majority had very low social cohesion and more negative life events, while those with below
average years of schooling were more depressed. These are statistically significant. Social determinants
of depression should be given a lot of emphasis, when addressing the issue of depression, if we are to
meaningfully tackle this increasing scourge in our society.
Description
Keywords
Depression, Social determinants, PLWHA, Social cohesion, Negative life events, Nigeria, People living with HIV/AIDS