Citation

Mandell LN, Rodriguez VJ, De La Rosa A, Abbamonte JM, Sued O, Cecchini D, Cassetti I, Cahn P, Weiss SM, Jones DL. AIDS Behav. 2019; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1400 NW 10th Ave., Suite 404A, Miami, FL, 33136, USA. djones@med.miami.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s10461-019-02526-4

PMID

31049810

Abstract

Argentina has one of the highest suicide rates in Latin America and the Caribbean. Though people living with HIV are at increased risk for suicidal behavior, little research on suicide risk has been conducted among HIV-positive people in this region. This study examined risk factors for suicidal ideation among HIV-infected adults (N = 360) re-engaging in care in Argentina. Overall, 21% of participants reported suicidal ideation in the past week. In adjusted logistic regression models, younger age, increased depressive symptomatology, and drug abuse were associated with suicidal ideation (p < 0.05); decreased motivation for adherence and fewer months since initiating antiretroviral therapy approached significance (p = 0.07). Suicidal ideation was common in this sample of HIV-positive patients in Argentina.

FINDINGS highlight the need for routine risk assessment and interventions integrated into the HIV care continuum, addressing depression, substance use, and suicidal behavior.

Language: en

Keywords

Argentina; Engagement in care; HIV; South America; Suicidal ideation