Prevalence of depressive symptoms in adolescents living with HIV in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Background: Adolescents living with HIV (ALWHIV) are more vulnerable to developing depressive symptoms. Despite this knowledge, the screening for depression is not routinely integrated into HIV treatment programmes.

Aim: The study aimed to determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms among ALWHIV.

Setting: The study was carried out in the primary healthcare clinics and an antiretroviral clinic situated in a district hospital, West Rand District, Johannesburg.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 125 ALWHIV. The modified Patient Health Questionnaire for Adolescents (PHQ-A) was used to screen for depressive symptoms with a score of ≥ 5 deemed significant. A distress protocol was used for immediate psychological intervention.

Results: The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 44.8% and the majority of ALWHIV reported mild-moderate symptoms (36.8%). Overall, 25.6% of adolescents had suicidal behaviours. Those with psychosocial difficulties and those who reported a previous suicide attempt were 3.6 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.59, 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.17-11.03) and 6.9 (aOR 6.93, 95% CI:1.39-34.55) times likely to develop depressive symptoms, respectively.

Conclusion: A high prevalence of depressive symptoms was found in ALWHIV. Psychosocial difficulties and previous suicide attempts were predictive factors for depressive symptoms. This highlights the unmet need for the integration of mental health screening and overall mental health services into adolescent HIV programmes.

Contribution: This study emphasises an urgent need for routine mental health screening and prompt psychosocial support in ALWHIV.