Lindsey M Filiatreau1, Peter Vanes Ebasone2, Anastase Dzudie2, Rogers Ajeh2, Brian W Pence3, Milton Wainberg4, Denis Nash5, Marcel Yotebieng6, Kathryn Anastos7, Eric Pefura-Yone8, Denis Nsame9, Angela M Parcesepe10. 1. Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, St. Louis, MO, United States of America; Washington University in St. Louis, Brown School, International Center for Child Health and Development, St. Louis, MO, United States of America; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Carolina Population Center, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America. Electronic address: flindsey@wustl.edu. 2. Clinical Research Education Networking and Consultancy, Yaounde, Cameroon. 3. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Gillings School of Global Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America. 4. Columbia University, Department of Psychiatry, New York, NY, United States of America. 5. City University of New York, Institute of Implementation Science in Population Health, New York, NY, United States of America. 6. Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States of America. 7. Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States of America; Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Department of Epidemiology & Population Health, Bronx, NY, United States of America. 8. Jamot Hospital, Yaounde, Cameroon. 9. Bamenda Regional Hospital, Bamenda, Cameroon. 10. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Carolina Population Center, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Gillings School of Global Public Health, Department of Maternal and Child Health, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Exposure to stressors increases the risk of mental health disorders. People living with HIV (PLWH) are particularly affected by poor mental health which can contribute to adverse HIV treatment outcomes. METHODS: We estimated the prevalence of recent stressful life events (modified Life Events Survey) among a cohort of PLWH entering HIV care at three public health care facilities in Cameroon and quantified the association of seven types of stressful life events with symptoms of depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scores>9), anxiety (General Anxiety Disorder-7 scores>9), and PTSD (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 scores>30) using separate log-binomial regression models. RESULTS: Of 426 PLWH enrolling in care, a majority were women (59%), in relationships (58%), and aged 21 to 39 years (58%). Recent death of a family member (39%) and severe illness of a family member (34%) were the most commonly reported stressful life events. In multivariable analyses, more stressful life event types, a negative relationship change, death or illness of a friend/family member, experience of violence, work-related difficulties, and feeling unsafe in one's neighborhood were independently associated with at least one of the mental health outcomes assessed. The greatest magnitude of association was observed between work-related difficulties and PTSD (adjusted prevalence ratio: 3.1; 95% confidence interval: 2.0-4.8). LIMITATIONS: Given the design of our study, findings are subject to recall and social desirability bias. CONCLUSIONS: Stressful life events were common among this population of PLWH entering care in Cameroon. Evidence-based interventions that improve coping, stress management, and mental health are needed.
BACKGROUND: Exposure to stressors increases the risk of mental health disorders. People living with HIV (PLWH) are particularly affected by poor mental health which can contribute to adverse HIV treatment outcomes. METHODS: We estimated the prevalence of recent stressful life events (modified Life Events Survey) among a cohort of PLWH entering HIV care at three public health care facilities in Cameroon and quantified the association of seven types of stressful life events with symptoms of depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scores>9), anxiety (General Anxiety Disorder-7 scores>9), and PTSD (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 scores>30) using separate log-binomial regression models. RESULTS: Of 426 PLWH enrolling in care, a majority were women (59%), in relationships (58%), and aged 21 to 39 years (58%). Recent death of a family member (39%) and severe illness of a family member (34%) were the most commonly reported stressful life events. In multivariable analyses, more stressful life event types, a negative relationship change, death or illness of a friend/family member, experience of violence, work-related difficulties, and feeling unsafe in one's neighborhood were independently associated with at least one of the mental health outcomes assessed. The greatest magnitude of association was observed between work-related difficulties and PTSD (adjusted prevalence ratio: 3.1; 95% confidence interval: 2.0-4.8). LIMITATIONS: Given the design of our study, findings are subject to recall and social desirability bias. CONCLUSIONS: Stressful life events were common among this population of PLWH entering care in Cameroon. Evidence-based interventions that improve coping, stress management, and mental health are needed.
Authors: Tonya Renee Thurman; Brian G Luckett; Johanna Nice; Alexandra Spyrelis; Tory M Taylor Journal: Lancet Glob Health Date: 2017-04-24 Impact factor: 26.763
Authors: Brian W Pence; Bradley N Gaynes; Julius Atashili; Julie K O'Donnell; Gladys Tayong; Dmitry Kats; Rachel Whetten; Kathryn Whetten; Alfred K Njamnshi; Peter M Ndumbe Journal: J Affect Disord Date: 2012-07-27 Impact factor: 4.839