Investigating the Relationship between HIV and Depression

Abstract

Depression is a comorbidity for many chronic illnesses, yet its presence in people living with AIDS/HIV is often overlooked. With the many complications that come with an HIV diagnosis, it is important for medical providers to recognize signs of depression in their HIV patients so that they receive the necessary care. Factors such as substance abuse and access to HIV treatment may make an individual more vulnerable to depression. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between the level of depression and how long an individual has been infected with HIV. This study aims to answer the research question, “How does the HIV infected duration influence the level of depression in individuals living with HIV/AIDS?” The data used for this study was collected from a group of individuals with HIV in Bangladesh. The hypothesis behind this study is that individuals who have been infected with HIV for a longer duration will have a higher level of depression. To investigate the relationship between the two variables of HIV infected duration and level of depression further, the data collected from the 150 participants was input into SPSS. The study’s research method included graphical investigation to better visualize the data, and the use of ANOVA and Pearson correlation tests were used to decide on the relationship between variables. In conclusion, regardless of the relationship between the variables, physicians should regularly screen HIV patients for depression. The integration of mental health treatments for patients living with HIV can be beneficial in diagnosing the condition to improve the patient’s health and quality of life