Abstract:
Background: Depressive Disorder is a common mental health problem and growing public
health concern in HIV-positive people. This co-occurrence can result in unfavourable health
effects, poor levels of adherence to antiretroviral therapy and further load on physical health.
Youth with depressive disorders may struggle to manage their health due to reduced motivation
and energy. This, in turn, can lead to an increased rate of hospitalization, which contributes to the
economic burden and more medical costs.
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of depressive disorder and
associated factors among antiretroviral therapy user youths in Jimma City public health facility
ART clinics, southwest Oromia, Ethiopia, 2025
Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2025 to June
2025. Interviewer -administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. The Sample size was
calculated using a single population proportion formula and data was collected from 379 on
antiretroviral therapy user youths out of 386 sample size with response rate of 98.2% all youths
attending ART follow-up visits until the required sample size was reached, using the Kobo
Toolbox. Data were cleaned, checked, coded, and exported into SPSS version 27 for analysis.
Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the association
between depressive disorder prevalence and the independent variables. Variables with P value <
0.25 were selected as candidate variables for multi-variable logistic regression. The outputs from
the regression analysis were reported at P-Value < 0.05 using an Adjusted Odds Ratio with their
95% CI to show significant association without come variable.
Results: 379 study participants were involved, with a response rate of 98.2%,the prevalence of
depressive disorder among antiretroviral therapy user youths attending ART clinics in Jimma
City public health facilities was 52% (95%CI: 47.6-57.9). Those aged 20–24(AOR=1.83, 95%
CI: 1.16–2.87), being female (AOR=1.61, 95% CI: 1.02–2.55), HIV medication improper use
(AOR=4.73, 95% CI: 2.47–9.03), low social support (AOR=1.66, 95% CI: 1.04–2.64), and
youths who experienced perceived stigma (AOR=1.59, 95% CI: 1.02–2.49) were significantly
associated with depressive disorder.
II
Conclusion: Nearly half of HIV-positive youth attending ART clinics were found to have
depressive disorder 197(52%). The study identified that older age (20–24 years), female sex,
poor adherence to ART medications, low social support, and perceived HIV-related stigma were
significantly associated with increased odds of depressive disorder
