The Effect Of Hiv Status On Childhood Deprivation, Depressive Symptoms And Quality Of Life Among Hiv-Infected And Uninfected Children: A Case-Control Study, Mbeya Tanzania

ABSTRACT

Background: HIV/AIDS pose a direct threat to child health and well-being, which

gives a burden of poverty to the household family and increase the risk of mental

health problems among HIV infected children.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of HIV status on

childhood deprivation, depressive symptoms and quality of life among HIVinfected

and uninfected children aged from 7 to 17 years old.

Method: A matched case-control study design was conducted by involving HIVinfected

and uninfected children with their caregivers at Mbarali district. Matching

was done by sex. Scales Multidimensional Poverty Index 2014, World Health

Organization Quality of Life, Children Depression Inventory -II and WHO Clinical

Staging Guideline, were used to measure childhood deprivation, quality of life,

depressive symptoms and HIV status respectively. Data were collected and analyzed

by SPSS 20 version database program. Chi-square test, Pearson correlation, and

logistic regression were used in the analysis.

Results: In total, 900 participants were studied; of which 300 were HIV-infected and

600 uninfected children with their mean age of 12.84 aged from 7-17 years. The

study involved both sexes; females 505 (56.10%) and males 395 (43.90%). A high

prevalence of childhood deprivation 183(61%), depressive symptoms 145(48.3%)

and of a quality of life 81(27%) was observed in HIV-infected children. Multivariate

logistic regression analysis revealed that HIV-infected children had high odds of

depressive symptoms and quality of life compared to uninfected.1.96 [OR95%CI:

1.11-3.45], 2.42 [OR95%CI: 1.30-4.53] respectively. Childhood deprivation

associated with depressive symptom among HIV-infected children 4.76 [OR95%CI:

2.79-8.21]

Conclusion; HIV status showed to have an effect on quality of life and depressive

symptoms among HIV-infected children. Childhood deprivation associated with

depressive symptoms among HIV-infected children.