Background The study aims to determine whether self-reported health is associated with depressive symptoms among people with HIV.

Methods The study used cross-sectional, nationally representative survey data from people with HIV from the Positive Voices survey in 2017. Multivariable logistic regression determined associations between self-reported health and depression (defined by GHQ-12 score≥4), adjusted for age, employment, financial security (ability to meet basic needs), lifestyle (smoking and binge drinking), self-reported pain and comorbidities.

Results Of 2,142 MSM, 1,015 women and 583 heterosexual men, the proportion reporting good or very good health was 70%, 77% and 77% respectively. Prevalence of depression increased as self-reported health worsened: among MSM, 10% reporting ‘very good’ health had depressive symptoms, this rose to 24% among those reporting ‘good’ health, 57% (fair health) and 87% (bad health). Equivalent figures were 8%, 17%, 45%, 85% for heterosexual men; and 9%, 23%, 59%, 78% for women. After adjusting for other factors, the likelihood of depression increased with bad health compared to very good health among MSM (AOR 28.42, CI 14.44–55.91, p<0.0001); heterosexual men (AOR 20.15, CI 4.79–84.79, p<0.0001) and women (AOR 11.46, CI 3.76–34.94, p<0.0001). Compared to financially secure MSM, heterosexual men and women, their financially insecure counterparts were significantly more depressed: (AOR 5.02, CI 2.96–8.53, p<0.0001); (AOR 5.27, CI 2.12–13.14, p=0.001); (AOR 3.23, CI 1.79–5.83, p<0.0001). Strong association between self-reported pain and depression was observed among MSM (AOR 1.41, CI 1.07–1.84, p=0.014); heterosexual men (AOR 2.77, CI 1.42–5.42, p=0.003) and women (AOR 3.79, CI 2.38–6.05, p<0.0001). Unemployment was strongly associated with depression among MSM (AOR 1.87, CI 1.13–3.11, p=0.022), but not heterosexual men (p=0.651) or women (p=0.288).

Conclusion Self-reported health is an important predictor of depressive symptoms in people with HIV, along with financial security and pain. This data can be used to inform screening tools for depression among people with HIV.

Disclosure No significant relationships.