HIV-status disclosure and depression in the context of unintended pregnancy among South African women.

ABSTRACT: Depressive symptoms are common among pregnant women living with HIV, and an unintended pregnancy may heighten vulnerability. HIV-status disclosure is thought to improve psychological well-being, but few quantitative studies have explored the relationships among disclosure, pregnancy intention and depression. Using multivariable linear regression models, we examined the impact of disclosure on depressive symptoms (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale; EPDS) during pregnancy and postpartum among women who tested HIV-positive during the pregnancy in South Africa; and explored the role of pregnancy intention in this relationship. Among 350 women (median age: 27 years; 70% reporting that their current pregnancy was unintended), neither disclosure to a male partner nor disclosure to ≥1 family/co

SUBMITTER: Brittain K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6557665 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature