High prevalence of suicide risk in people living with HIV: who is at higher risk?
Passos, S.Müller.Klug.; Souza, L.Dias.de.Mattos.; Spessato, Bárbara.Coiro.
Aids Care 26(11): 1379-1382
2014
ISSN/ISBN: 0954-0121 PMID: 24797027 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2014.913767Document Number: 625589
A cross-sectional study was developed to evaluate suicide risk and associated factors in HIV/AIDS patients at a regional reference center for the treatment of HIV/AIDS in southern Brazil. We assessed 211 patients in regard to suicide risk, clinical and sociodemographic characteristics, drug use, depression, and anxiety. Suicide risk was assessed with Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, Module C. Multivariate analysis was performed using Poisson regression. Of the total sample, 34.1% were at risk of suicide. In the multivariate analysis, the following variables were independently associated with suicide risk: female gender; age up to 47 years; unemployment; indicative of anxiety; indicative of depression; and abuse or addiction on psychoactive substances. Suicide risk is high in this population. Psychosocial factors should be included in the physical and clinical evaluation, given their strong association with suicide risk.