Knowledge of HIV-positive status may result in depressive symptoms, which may be a concern in scaling novel HIV testing interventions that move testing outside the health system and away from counselor support.
Researchers used longitudinal data from two female sex worker cohorts in Uganda and Zambia. Over four-months participants had ample opportunity to HIV test using standard-of-care services or self-tests. At baseline and four months, researchers measured participants’ perceived knowledge of HIV status, the severity of depressive symptoms, and the prevalence of likely depression. Researchers estimated associations using individual fixed effects estimation.
Authors: Katrina F. Ortblad, Daniel Kibuuka Musoke, Michael M. Chanda, Thomson Ngabirano, Jennifer Velloza, Jessica E. Haberer, Margaret McConnell, Catherine E. Oldenburg, Till Bärnighausen,
We strive to build lasting relationships to produce better health outcomes for all.
