Vavani Boitumelo, Kraaij Vivian, Spinhoven Philip, Amone-P'Olak Kennedy, Garnefski Nadia
Psychology Department, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana.
Clinical Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands.
Afr J AIDS Res. 2020 Mar;19(1):80-88. doi: 10.2989/16085906.2020.1727933.
The prevalence of HIV in Botswana is high. Many people living with HIV (PLWH) suffer from depressive symptoms and have inadequate coping skills. Most PLWH do not receive adequate psychological treatment. Empirically based interventions for PLWH with depressive symptoms in Botswana should be developed, with a focus on improving coping skills. The present study was a first step towards this goal, by trying to identify targets for intervention. The study aimed to provide prevalence rates of depression among PLWH in Botswana, to assess their mental health treatment needs and wishes as expressed by themselves, and to study the relationships between cognitive and behavioural coping strategies and depressive symptoms. A cross-sectional study was conducted. The sample consisted of 291 participants (73% female) from 8 HIV treatment centres from Botswana. Participants completed standardized questionnaires on depressive symptoms (CES-D) and coping skills (CERQ, BERQ). They also answered questions regarding their mental health care needs and wishes. In total 43.4% of participants reported clinically significant depressive symptoms. The majority of participants indicated that they needed help with the following topics: feelings of depression, physical tension, finding new goals and coping with HIV. In addition, they indicated preferring a self-help programme in booklet format. Multiple regression analyses showed that the following coping strategies had significant relationships with depressive symptoms: rumination, catastrophising, withdrawal, positive refocusing and refocus on planning (the latter two negatively). Almost half of the PLWH reported depressive symptoms that were clinically significant. The findings suggested that an intervention for PLWH with depressive symptoms in Botswana should preferably be a self-help programme presented in booklet format. With regard to content, the results confirmed that the intervention should focus on specific coping skills. In addition, elements like goal finding and strategies to reduce physical tension should be added.
博茨瓦纳的艾滋病毒感染率很高。许多艾滋病毒感染者（PLWH）患有抑郁症状且应对技能不足。大多数艾滋病毒感染者没有得到充分的心理治疗。应针对博茨瓦纳有抑郁症状的艾滋病毒感染者制定基于实证的干预措施，重点是提高应对技能。本研究朝着这一目标迈出了第一步，试图确定干预目标。该研究旨在提供博茨瓦纳艾滋病毒感染者的抑郁症患病率，评估他们自我表达的心理健康治疗需求和愿望，并研究认知和行为应对策略与抑郁症状之间的关系。进行了一项横断面研究。样本包括来自博茨瓦纳8个艾滋病毒治疗中心的291名参与者（73%为女性）。参与者完成了关于抑郁症状（CES-D）和应对技能（CERQ、BERQ）的标准化问卷。他们还回答了有关心理健康护理需求和愿望的问题。总共有43.4%的参与者报告有临床显著的抑郁症状。大多数参与者表示他们在以下方面需要帮助：抑郁情绪、身体紧张、寻找新目标以及应对艾滋病毒。此外，他们表示更喜欢小册子形式的自助项目。多元回归分析表明，以下应对策略与抑郁症状有显著关系：反复思考、灾难化、回避、积极重新聚焦和专注于计划（后两者为负相关）。几乎一半的艾滋病毒感染者报告有临床显著的抑郁症状。研究结果表明，针对博茨瓦纳有抑郁症状的艾滋病毒感染者的干预措施最好是小册子形式的自助项目。关于内容，结果证实干预应侧重于特定的应对技能。此外，应增加诸如目标设定和减轻身体紧张的策略等内容。
