Anxiety and depression among HIV-infected heterosexuals--a report from India

The aim of the study was to study factors related to anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation among HIV-seropositive heterosexuals soon after being tested for their HIV status for the first time. Anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation were assessed among 51 HIV-seropositive heterosexual men and women with various stages of HIV infection. All assessments were done between 4 and 6 weeks after revelation of positive serostatus. Psychosocial variables such as quality of family relationships and substance use and sociodemographic details such as gender, income, education, and residence were studied for their association with psychiatric morbidity. Illness details studied for their association with psychiatric morbidity included stage of HIV infection, spouse's HIV status, presence of physical illness, and pain. Depression was present in 40% and anxiety in 36% of the sample. Serious suicidal intent was seen in 14%. Multiple regression analysis indicated that presence of pain, concurrent alcohol abuse, poor family relations, and presence of AIDS in the spouse were significant factors associated with depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.