Prevalence of depression and its relationship with quality of life and physical activity in patients with HIV/AIDS

Depression is one of the most common secondary effects of HIV/AIDS that affects the quality of life and treatment process and accelerates the progression of the disease. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of depression and its relationship with quality of life and physical activity in patients with HIV/AIDS. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 340 patients with HIV/AIDS who were referred to the behavioral health counseling center of Kermanshah province. Using the Beck Depression Inventory, the quality of life and physical activity were assessed. The data were analyzed by chi-square test, Mann–Whitney test, Kruskal –Wallis test, t-test, ANOVA, and logistic regression analysis. The average age of the participants was 38.53 ± 8.86 years. The average quality of life scores in the areas of physical health was 11.76 ± 2.73, mental health was 11.10 ± 2.70, social relations was 12.12 ± 2.86, and environment health was11.16 ± 2.19. The quality of life in the mental health area of married individuals was significantly more (11.63 ± 2.76) than in the unmarried (10.79 ± 2.60) (p = 0.004). The social area score of married individuals (12.62 ± 2.78) was significantly more than that of unmarried (11.71 ± 2.88) (p = 0.002). The prevalence of depression was 61.01% (confidence interval [CI] = 55.80–66.22), being more in men (66.04 %) than women (52.03%) (p = 0.011). The risk of depression in 2.34 times greater in men than in women (odds ratio = 2.52; CI = 1.22–4.48). The findings of this study revealed the prevalence of depression in people with HIV/AIDS was high, which is notable, and it has a role in decreasing the quality of life, particularly in the area of physical and mental health. We recommend providing appropriate counseling to prevent and reduce depression in this group of people.