AIDS treatment and mental health: Evidence from Uganda

• Published in: Social science & medicine (1982) Vol. 92; pp. 27 - 34
• Main Authors: Okeke, Edward N., Wagner, Glenn J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2013; Elsevier; Pergamon Press Inc
• Subjects: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome; Adult; Africa; AIDS; Anti-Retroviral Agents - therapeutic use; Antiretroviral drugs; Antiretroviral therapy; Biological and medical sciences; Depression (Psychology); Depressive Disorder - epidemiology; Depressive Disorder, Major - epidemiology; Developing Countries; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Health Problems; HIV; HIV Infections - drug therapy; HIV Infections - psychology; Human immunodeficiency virus; Human viral diseases; Humans; Immunodeficiencies; Immunodeficiencies. Immunoglobulinopathies; Immunopathology; Infectious diseases; Male; Medical sciences; Medical treatment; Medications; Mental depression; Mental health; Mental Health Services; Miscellaneous; Patients; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Severity of Illness Index; Sex Distribution; Treatment Outcome; Treatment Outcomes; Uganda; Uganda - epidemiology; Viral diseases; Viral diseases of the lymphoid tissue and the blood. Aids; Uganda; Africa; HIV; Antiretroviral therapy; Mental health; Africa; Human; Immunopathology; Antiretroviral agent; Retroviridae; AIDS; Immune deficiency; Lentivirus; Infection; Virus; Chemotherapy; Treatment; Viral disease; Antiviral; Social medicine; Human immunodeficiency virus; Social aspect; Public health
• ISSN: 0277-9536; 1873-5347
• DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2013.05.018

Increased access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) in developing countries over the last decade is believed to have contributed to reductions in HIV transmission and improvements in life expectancy. While numerous studies document the effects of ART on physical health and functioning, comparatively less attention has been paid to the effects of ART on mental health outcomes. In this paper we study the impact of ART on depression in a cohort of patients in Uganda entering HIV care. We find that 12 months after beginning ART, the prevalence of major and minor depression in the treatment group had fallen by approximately 15 and 27 percentage points respectively relative to a comparison group of patients in HIV care but not receiving ART. We also find some evidence that ART helps to close the well-known gender gap in depression between men and women. •This paper studies the effects of antiretroviral treatment on depression.•482 HIV+ patients in 2 Ugandan clinics were enrolled (257 in the ART group and 225 in the non-ART group).•Depression was assessed at baseline, 6 and 12 months.•We find large beneficial effects of ART on major and minor depression.