@article{ref1,
title="Hopelessness, depression and suicidal ideation in HIV-positive persons",
journal="South African journal of psychiatry",
year="2012",
author="Govender, R.D. and Schlebusch, L.",
volume="18",
number="1",
pages="16-21",
abstract="Background and objectives. HIV/AIDS and suicidal behaviour are major public health concerns. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between hopelessness, depression and suicidal ideation in HIV-infected persons. <br><br>METHODS. The sample consisted of all adult volunteers attending a voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) HIV clinic at a universityaffiliated state hospital. Suicidal ideation and depression were measured using the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), respectively, at two intervals, viz. 72 hours and 6 weeks after HIV diagnosis. <br><br>RESULTS. Of the 156 patients who tested positive for HIV, 32 (20.5%) had a hopelessness score of 9 or above on the BHS and 130 patients (82.8%) were depressed according to the BDI at 72 hours after diagnosis. Of the 109 patients assessed 6 weeks after diagnosis, 32 (28.8%) had a hopelessness score of >9 on the BHS and 86 (78.2%) were depressed according to the BDI. A moderately positive correlation at both time periods was found between hopelessness and depression. A ROC analysis showed optimal sensitivity, indicating that the HIV-positive depressed patients were at risk for suicidal behaviour. <br><br>CONCLUSION. The significant correlations between hopelessness, depression and suicidal ideation are important markers that should alert healthcare professionals to underlying suicide risks in HIV-positive patients. Early recognition of this and suicide prevention strategies should be incorporated into the treatment offered at VCT HIV clinics.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1608-9685",
doi="10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v18i1.302",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v18i1.302"
}