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Depression symptoms among caregivers of children in HIV-affected families in rural China

Abstract The objectives of this study were to examine symptoms of depression among caregivers of rural AIDS orphans (i.e., children who had lost one or both of their parents to HIV/AIDS) and vulnerable children (i.e., children who were living with HIV-infected alive parents), and to explore factors associated with the presence of symptoms of depression among caregivers. Cross-sectional data were collected from 160 adult caregivers (parents, relatives, or other adults) from a rural area in China where many residents were infected with HIV through unhygienic blood collection. The sample included 120 caregivers from households caring for AIDS orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) and 40 from households without OVC. The Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) was used to assess the symptoms of depression among the caregivers. Multiple regression analysis was performed to assess the associations of depressive symptoms with various individual and family factors among caregivers. The mean score of CES-D for the entire sample was 19.18 (17.84 for men and 20.44 for women). The univariate analysis indicated that the score of CES-D was significantly higher among caregivers with lower education, fewer household items/assets, from families with adult or pediatric HIV infection. Controlling for age, gender, and caregivers' education, multiple regression analysis revealed significant associations between symptoms of depression and reduced family socioeconomic status (SES), adult or pediatric HIV infection in family. Our results indicated an elevated level of depression symptoms among caregivers of OVC and underscored the needs for psychological support and intervention for their caregivers, especially for those with lower family SES, from families with an adult or pediatric HIV infection.