Desalegn Asmare Eshetu, Solomon Meseret, Woldeyohannes, Melkam Alemayehu Kebede, Gezahegn Nekatibeb Techane, Kefyalew Dagne Gizachew, Minale Tareke Tegegne, Bereket Tsegaye Misganaw
Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders among people with HIV/AIDS. It causes more disability and greater decrements in health than most other chronic illnesses. Data was collected from April to May, 2013 after obtaining verbal consent from the respondents. Data entry was performed by using SPPSS version 20 and analysis was done using logistic regression and odd ratio. A total of 416 respondents were interviewed and of the 221(53.1%) were female, 385 (92.5%) were orthodox in religion, 184(44.2%) were married and 380(91.3%) were Amhara in ethnicity. 157(37.7%) were completed primary education and 106 (25.5%) were jobless. Monthly income of the respondents was between 401-700 birr for 108(26%). Among 416 participants 38.94% were depressed. Depression was associated with being Female(AOR=2.071(1.077,3.985),30-39years(A OR=2.761(1.165,6.540)), 449years(AOR=3.847(1.489,9.942), 60-69 years (AOR=19.645 (4.020, 95.991), income < 200birr’s (AOR=3.917(1.559, 9.845),201-400 birr’s (AOR=2.796(1.139, 6.865)), 401-700birr’s (AOR=2.590(1.058, 6.340), Stage III HIV/AIDS (AOR=2.317(1.108, 4.848)), Stage IV HIV/AIDS (AOR=8.769(1.928, 39.872), Hospitalized in the past one month was (AOR=15.262(1.463, 159.219) and felt stigmatized were (AOR=3.597(1.861, 6.954). This study summarizes that there is high prevalence of depression on people living with HIV/AIDS. Among them sex, age, low income, HIV/AIDS stages, hospitalized in the past one month, and perceived stigma were significantly associated. Screening programs should focus on being females, low incomes, HIV Stage III and IV, those hospitalized the last one month, and perceived stigma. We recommend health care providers to address depressive disorders for people with HIV/ AIDS comprehensively
