Triple Burden of Neurocognitive Impairment and Co-occurring Depression and Anxiety Among People Living With HIV in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia: A Multicenter Study

Minale Tareke; Tilahun Belete; Temesgen Ergetie; Meseret Tadesse; Melak Menberu; Asmamaw Ketemaw

doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.732229

Triple Burden of Neurocognitive Impairment and Co-occurring Depression and Anxiety Among People Living With HIV in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia: A Multicenter Study

Front Psychiatry. 2022 Apr 26:13:732229. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.732229. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Minale Tareke¹, Tilahun Belete¹, Temesgen Ergetie¹, Meseret Tadesse¹, Melak Menberu¹, Asmamaw Ketemaw²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Health Science, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
² School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.

Abstract

Background: Neurocognitive impairment is associated with psychological morbidities, such as depression and anxiety, among people living with HIV. The presence of these comorbidities affects viral load suppression, treatment adherence, quality of life, treatment outcomes, and functionality. Despite this fact, there is a dearth of studies that examined the triple burden of neurocognitive impairment and co-occurring depression and anxiety among antiretroviral therapy attendees in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the magnitude of HIV-associated neurocognitive impairment and co-occurring depression and anxiety at the same time among people living with HIV/AIDS.

Method: We conducted an institution-based multicenter cross-sectional study in Bahir Dar, Northwest Ethiopia. A total of 410 study participants were selected using a systematic random sampling technique. Neurocognitive impairment was assessed using the International HIV Dementia Scale. Co-occurring depression and anxiety were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. A semi-structured questionnaire was applied to collect data on sociodemographic and clinical-related characteristics. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and univariate and multivariable logistic regression.

Results: Two-thirds (66.8%) of the people living with HIV had neurocognitive impairment. The prevalence of co-occurring depression and anxiety was found in 39.8%. Women with HIV, people with comorbid chronic medical illness, and those under a second-line treatment regimen were factors associated with neurocognitive impairment. Furthermore, pill burden, second-line treatment regimen, HIV clinical stages, social support, HIV-perceived stigma, and neurocognitive impairment were associated factors with co-occurring depression and anxiety.

Conclusions: We found a high prevalence of neurocognitive impairment and co-occurring depression and anxiety among people living with HIV/AIDs. Further research is needed to assess the clinical course of neurocognitive impairment and co-occurring depression and anxiety.

Keywords: anxiety; co-occurring; depression; neurocognitive impairment; people living with HIV.