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Introduction: Depression is one of the most common neuropsychiatric complications of human immunodeficiency virus disease, and in turn it is associated with worse HIV-related outcomes. The World Health Organization predicts that both diseases are expected to be the leading causes of disease burden by 2030.
Objective: -To assess the prevalence of depression and its associated factors among HIV-Positive Youths on antiretroviral therapy at Selected Hospitals in Amhara Region, NorthwestEthiopia, 2024
Methods: - An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was conducted from April 21 to June 18, 2023, among 452 HIV-positive youths attending ART clinics at selected hospitals in the Amhara Region, Northwest Ethiopia. Data were collected by interview administered using a structured questionnaire. Binary logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with depression. Variables with a p-value ≤ 0.25 on the bivariate analysis were candidates for multivariable analysis. Adjusted odds ratios with the respective 95% CI were calculated, and p-values < 0.05 were used to set statistically significant variables in the multivariable analysis.
Results: Out of a total of 460 sampled HIV-positive youth, 452 have participated in this study with a response rate of 98.3%. The prevalence of depression was 32.3% (95% CI: 28.0%, 36.8%). School dropout due to HIV/AIDS illness (AOR=4.9, 95% 95%CI: 1.87-12.87), poor social support (AOR=4.80, 95% 95%CI: 1.28-17.91), poor treatment adherence (AOR=2.27, 95% CI: 1.08-4.7), and a history of opportunistic infections (AOR=3.23, 95% CI: 1.44-7.29) were factors significantly associated with depression.
Conclusion: This study demonstrated a high prevalence of depression among HIV-positive youths according to the national youth health strategy target. Regular screening for depression comorbidity among HIV-positive youths and linkage with mental health service providers were recommended.
