Treatment of Perinatal Depression and Correlates of Treatment Response Among Pregnant Women Living with HIV in Uganda.

INTRODUCTION: Perinatal depression is common among women living with HIV, but depression care is limited in low-resource settings. We examined (1) characteristics of women receiving Problem Solving Therapy (PST) versus antidepressant therapy (ADT), (2) treatment response by modality, and (3) correlates of treatment response. METHODS: This analysis used data from 191 Ugandan women in the intervention arm of a cluster randomized controlled trial of task-shifted, stepped-care depression treatment for pregnant women living with HIV (PWLWH). Treatment response was defined as scoring < 5 on the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Bivariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression were used to examine characteristics of women by treatment group and correlates of treatment response. RESULTS: Of 134 participants with depression, 129 (96%) were treated: 84 (65%) received PST and 45 (35%) received ADT. Severe depression at treatment initiation was more common in those receiving ADT (28.9% versus 4.8%, Fischer's Exact Test < 0.001). Treatment response was higher for PST (70/84; 83.3%) than ADT (30/45; 66.7%; p = .03). ADT side effects were rare and minor; no infants had serious congenital defects. Of 22 participants (19%) who did not respond to treatment, only five received intensified management. Social support and interpersonal violence were associated with treatment response (adjusted odds ratio, [aOR] = 3.06, 95% CI = 1.08-8.66 and aOR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.44-0.93). DISCUSSION: Both depression treatment modalities yielded high response rates in Ugandan PWLWH; ADT was well-tolerated. Our results highlight a need to build capacity to implement the stepped-care protocol for non-responders and screen for social support and interpersonal violence.

A cluster randomized controlled trial of two task-shifting depression care models on depression alleviation and antidepressant response among HIV clients in Uganda.

BACKGROUND: depression is common among people living with HIV, but rarely diagnosed and treated in sub-Saharan Africa, in part due to the paucity of mental health professionals. Task-shifting approaches have been used to address this barrier. We compared the effects of two task-shifting models of depression care on depression alleviation and antidepressant response. METHODS: we conducted a cluster randomized controlled trial of two task-shifting models to facilitating depression care delivered by trained medical providers, one that utilized a structured protocol (protocolized) and one that relied on the judgment of trained providers (clinical acumen), in 10 HIV clinics in Uganda. A sample of 1252 clients (640 at protocolized clinics, 612 at clinical acumen clinics) who had screened positive for potential depression on the 2-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2) were enrolled and followed for 12 months. Interviewer-administered 9-item PHQ (PHQ-9) data from the research surveys, and provider administrations to clients treated with antidepressant therapy, were examined. Linear probability regression analyses were conducted using a wild cluster bootstrap to control for clustering. RESULTS: among the whole sample (regardless of treatment status), rates of depression alleviation (PHQ-9<5) at month 12 were equivalent in the protocolized (75%) and clinical acumen (77%) arms, in an intention-to-treat analysis. Similarly, among the 415 participants who received antidepressant care, rates of treatment response (PHQ-9<5) at the last provider administered PHQ-9 (average of 8 months into treatment) were equivalent between the protocolized (65%) and clinical acumen (69%) arms; rate of improvement over the course of treatment was also equivalent. CONCLUSIONS: nurses can provide quality depression care to HIV clients, regardless of whether treatment is guided by a structured protocol or clinical acumen, in the context of appropriate training and ongoing supervision support.

Effectiveness of antidepressants and predictors of treatment response for depressed HIV patients in Uganda.

Antidepressant medication is well established for the treatment of depression but little is known about its effectiveness for HIV populations in sub-Saharan Africa. This study examined the effectiveness of antidepressant treatment and predictors of treatment response among depressed HIV patients in Uganda. Data were obtained from two open-label trials in which 184 HIV patients were diagnosed with depression and started on antidepressants. Data at treatment baseline and month 6 were compared to assess treatment response, and baseline predictors of response were assessed. A total of 154 completed month 6, of whom 122 (79%) had responded to treatment and were no longer depressed (Patient Health Questionnaire-9, score < 5). Bivariate analysis found that education, CD4 count, general health functioning, physical health, pain, quality of life and social support variables were associated with antidepressant treatment response; however, only secondary education and social support independently predicted treatment response in logistic multiple regression analysis. Baseline depression severity was not associated with treatment response. In conclusion, antidepressants are effective in treating both moderate and more severe depression among persons living with HIV in Uganda, and education [OR (95% CI) = 4.33 (1.33-14.11)] and social support [OR (95% CI) = 1.54 (1.03-2.30)] were most predictive of treatment response.

Depression and sexual risk behaviour among clients about to start HIV antiretroviral therapy in Uganda.

We investigated depression in relationship to sexual risk behaviour with primary partners among HIV-positive clients in Uganda. Baseline data were analyzed from a cohort of clients starting antiretroviral therapy. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used to classify depressive severity (none, minor and major depression) and symptom type (cognitive and somatic). Condom use was assessed over the past six months and during the last episode of sexual intercourse. A total of 386 participants had a primary sex partner, with whom 41.6% always used condoms during sex over the past six months, and 62.4% during last sex. Use of a condom during last sex was associated with having no depression and lower PHQ-9 total and cognitive and somatic subscale scores in bivariate analyses; most of these relationships were marginally significant for intercourse over the past six months. Controlling for demographics, HIV disclosure and partner HIV status, only minor depression was associated with unprotected sex. Depressive symptoms, even if not a clinical disorder, warrant early detection and treatment for promoting HIV prevention among HIV-affected couples.

Depression and its Relationship to Work Status and Income Among HIV Clients in Uganda.

PURPOSE: Despite high levels of depression among persons living with HIV (PLWHIV), little research has investigated the relationship of depression to work status and income in PLWHIV in sub-Saharan Africa, which was the focus of this analysis. METHODS: Baseline data from a prospective longitudinal cohort of 798 HIV patients starting antiretroviral therapy in Kampala, Uganda were examined. In separate multivariate analyses, we examined whether depressive severity and symptom type [as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)] and major depression [diagnosed with the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI)] were associated with work status and income, controlling for demographics, physical health functioning, work self-efficacy, social support and internalized HIV stigma. RESULTS: 14% of the sample had Major Depression and 66% were currently working. Each measure of depression (PHQ-9 total score, somatic and cognitive subscales; Major Depression diagnosis) was associated with not working and lower average weekly income in bivariate analysis. However, none of the depression measures remained associated with work and income in multivariate analyses that controlled for other variables associated with these economic outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that while depression is related to work and income, its influence may only be indirect through its relationship to other factors such as work self-efficacy and physical health functioning.