Original scientific paper
Levels of self-reported depression and anxiety among HIV-positive patients in Albania: a cross-sectional study
Shane D. Morrison
; Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine Stanford, CA, USA
Vilson H. Banushi
; Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Tirana School of Medicine, Tirana, Albania
Clea Sarnquist
; Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine Stanford, CA, USA
Valbona H. Gashi
; Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Tirana School of Medicine, Tirana, Albania
Lars Osterberg
; Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine Stanford, CA, USA
Yvonne Maldonado
; Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine Stanford, CA, USA
Arjan Harxhi
; Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Tirana School of Medicine, Tirana, Albania
Abstract
Aim To gain an initial perspective of mental health issues
facing the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-positive
population at the University Hospital Center of Tirana
(UHCT) HIV/AIDS Ambulatory Clinic.
Methods From June-August 2009, we conducted semistructured
interviews with 79 patients (93% response rate)
at the UHCT HIV/AIDS Ambulatory Clinic. The interviews
assessed patient-reported histories of mental health diagnoses,
patients’ demographics, and current emotional
health status.
Results The percentage of patients who reported a history
of diagnosis of depression or anxiety was high – 62.3%
and 82.3%, respectively. Factors associated with a history
of depression included having been diagnosed with anxiety
(P < 0.001), having a higher number of barriers to care
(P < 0.001), having a higher number of current medical and
social needs (P < 0.001), or having not obtained antiretroviral
therapy (ART) abroad (P = 0.004). Factors associated
with a history of anxiety included having been on firstline
ART (P = 0.008), having been diagnosed with HIV for
shorter periods of time (P = 0.043), having been diagnosed
with depression (P < 0.001), having a higher number of current
medical and social needs (P = 0.035), or having not obtained
ART abroad (P = 0.003).
Conclusions Mental health problems are widespread
among the known HIV-positive patient population in Albania.
The high prevalences of anxiety and depression
and of dual diagnoses of these conditions suggest the
need for more mental health care for HIV-positive patients
in Albania.
Keywords
mental health; depression; anxiety; HIV; Albania; South Eastern Europe
Hrčak ID:
74216
URI
Publication date:
15.10.2011.
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