Exploring the cascade of mental healthcare among people with HIV experiencing depressive symptoms in the UK and Ireland: the POPPY study
OA Location
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Introduction: Depressive symptoms are highly prevalent among people with HIV, which can negatively impact HIV-related outcomes. We explore the cascade of mental healthcare for people with HIV experiencing depressive symptoms. Methods: People with HIV who were part of the Pharmacokinetic and clinical Observations in PeoPle over fiftY (POPPY) study (2013–2016) were included. A Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) score ≥10 or Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) ≥16 was defined as moderate/severe depressive symptoms. Diagnosed depression and access to mental healthcare were self-reported. A cascade of mental healthcare was explored, defining individuals experiencing depressive symptoms; those among them reporting a diagnosis of depression; and of this latter group, the proportion reporting accessing mental healthcare. Demographic, social and clinical characteristics were assessed at each step using logistic regression. Results: Of the 1009 participants (65.5% ≥50 years, 85.8% male, 85.1% white),387 (38.4%) individuals were experiencing depressive symptoms, over half of whom (54.3%) reported a diagnosis of depression. Only 43.3% of individuals with diagnosed depression reported accessing mental healthcare. Men [oddsratio = 0.62, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.42–0.92], people in a relationship(0.44, 0.33–0.59), those who were employed (0.28, 0.21–0.38) and those with university qualifications (0.54, 0.40–0.72) were less likely to experience depressive symptoms. Heterosexuals (0.30, 0.14–0.64) were less likely to report a diagnosed depression, whereas smokers were more likely to have a diagnosed depression (1.75, 1.10–2.77). Older individuals (2.36, 1.31–4.28) were less likely to have accessed mental healthcare.
Conclusions: Our findings suggest the presence of unmet mental healthcare needs for people with HIV. We hope these findings will inform policies to streamline mental health services for people with HIV.K E Y W O R D S depression, epidemiology, HIV, key and vulnerable populations, quality of life, social support.
Conclusions: Our findings suggest the presence of unmet mental healthcare needs for people with HIV. We hope these findings will inform policies to streamline mental health services for people with HIV.K E Y W O R D S depression, epidemiology, HIV, key and vulnerable populations, quality of life, social support.
Date Issued
2025-03-01
Date Acceptance
2024-12-05
Citation
HIV Medicine, 2025, 26 (3), pp.465-478
ISSN
1464-2662
Publisher
Wiley
Start Page
465
End Page
478
Journal / Book Title
HIV Medicine
Volume
26
Issue
3
Copyright Statement
© 2024 The Author(s). HIV Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British HIV Association. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, providedthe original work is properly cited.
License URL
Sponsor
National Institute for Health Research
Identifier
10.1111/hiv.13753
Grant Number
NIHR153059
Journal
HIV Medicine
Subjects
ADHERENCE
AGE
depression
epidemiology
HIV
Infectious Diseases
key and vulnerable populations
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
quality of life
Science & Technology
social support
STIGMA
THERAPY
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2024-12-19