Prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms in women living with HIV in antiretroviral therapy in Ceará, Brazil

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms in WLHIV in antiretroviral therapy and the associated factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Ceará, Brazil, with a sample of 387 WLHIV. Inclusion criteria were female individuals with HIV, over 18 years of age and on antiretroviral therapy. Data collection was carried out through interviews, using the Sociodemographic, Epidemiological, Behavioral and Clinical Form, Beck Anxiety Inventory and Beck Depression Inventory. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed. The odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were calculated. The prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms were respectively 64.0% and 66.0%, in addition to concomitant symptoms (53.8%). The most commonly used contraceptive method was tubal ligation (41.3%). In the multivariate analysis, the factors associated with anxiety symptoms were age under 46 years (p < 0.001), unemployment (p = 0.025), retirement/leave (p = 0.007) and diagnosis of depression (p < 0.001). Physical exercise was a protective factor against anxiety (p = 0.015). The factors associated with depression were unemployment (p = 0.028), retirement/leave (p = 0.025) and having a diagnosis of anxiety (p < 0.001). More than half of the sample had symptoms of anxiety and depression, mainly associated with unemployment and retirement/leave. Physical exercise was a protective factor against anxiety.