Abstract

Depressive disorders are notably more prevalent among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA),
occurring at rates three times higher than in the general population. In Uganda, the reported
prevalence of depressive disorders among PLWHA ranges between 20% and 40%, with stigma
affecting about 34% of this demographic. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and identify
factors associated with major depression and stigma among HIV-positive patients attending the
ART clinic at Soroti Regional Referral Hospital (SRRH). Conducted as a descriptive cross-sectional
hospital-based study, the research utilized a simple random sampling technique to select 138
participants aged 18 years and older, already diagnosed with HIV and attending the SRRH ART
clinic. Critically ill or admitted individuals were excluded from the study. The majority of
respondents were female (60.9%), aged between 31 and 45 years (45.7%), and had attained primary
school education (54%). The study found a 16.7% prevalence of current major depressive episodes
among PLWHA, with 56.5% experiencing recurrent major depressive episodes. Regarding stigma,
the prevalence of minimal, mild, and moderate stigma was 65.2%, 29%, and 5.8%, respectively.
Factors such as male gender, being divorced or widowed, and being unemployed or engaged in
peasant work were statistically associated with any form of major depressive episode.
Additionally, recent initiation of ART was linked to stigma among this population. The findings
underscored the frequent occurrence of major depression and stigma among PLWHA, which were
influenced by factors such as changes in marital status, recent ART initiation, and limited
employment opportunities. The study recommended institutionalized and personalized
counseling, the formation of social or peer support groups, community education initiatives
regarding major depression and stigma among PLWHA, and regular patient follow-ups to mitigate
the incidence and prevalence of major depression and stigma in this vulnerable segment of the
population