Abstract Body

BACKGROUND It is important to identify attributes of suicidal ideation among people living with HIV (PLHIV), so the prevention on mental health problems and HIV/AIDS medication can be optimized. However, only few studies discussing features of suicidal thoughts among PLHIV, including in Indonesia.

Suicidal ideation is common in PLHIV with psychosocial comorbidities. This study intends to identify suicidal ideation relation with other psychopathologies and determining its factors among Indonesian PLHIV.

METHODS Cross-sectional study was conducted to PLHIV aged 18-65 years old currently on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Demographic and SCL-90 questionnaires were done. Firth’s penalized logistic regression analysis was performed to identify association between variables.

RESULT 86 participants met the criteria, with median age of 35 years old and predominantly male (65.1%). Lifetime suicidal ideation was found among 20 participants (23.3%). Average SCL-90 T-score for depressive (M=60,75; SD=12; p = 0.000) and anxiety symptoms (M=57.9, SD=2.8, p=0.001) were significantly higher in suicidal ideation subjects. Bivariate analyses demonstrate lifetime suicidal ideation association with depressive and anxiety symptoms, unmarried, CD4 count <500 cells/μl, and efavirenz use. Multivariate analysis shown that increased SCL-90 depression score (AOR 1.16, 95%CI 4.5–123.6, p=0.000) and efavirenz (AOR 5.00, 95%CI 1.02–24.6, p=0.048) were significant factors to suicidal ideation.

CONCLUSION Suicidal ideation is significantly associated with depressive symptoms and efavirenz use. Early depression screening and efavirenz substitution are recommended for suicide prevention and enhancement of HIV/AIDS management.

KEYWORDS Suicidal Ideation, HIV/AIDS, Efavirenz, Depression, Anxiety