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To the Editor: Rates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in southern Africa are high, with up to 45% of pregnant women being HIV-positive.¹ Depression is associated with lowered adherence to antiretroviral medication² and poor use of antenatal care.³ It frequently persists into the postnatal period, raising the risk of adverse child outcomes.³ Because little is known about the rates of depression among women undergoing HIV testing in prevention of mother-to-child transmission programs (PMTCT), we undertook this prevalence study. A secondary aim was assessment of perceptions among these women about adverse consequences of an HIV diagnosis, and whether these perceptions were related to depression status.

Methods

This study was conducted in rural northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, a region with a very high HIV prevalence.¹ A consecutive sample of women offered PMTCT during routine antenatal care at 3 representative clinics⁴ was invited to participate. Women were eligible if this was their first . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Tamsen J. Rochat, MsocSc
Africa Centre for Health and Population Studies
University of KwaZulu-Natal
Mtubatuba, South Africa

Linda M. Richter, PhD
Child, Youth, Family, and Social Development Unit
Human Sciences Research Council
Durban, South Africa

Helen A. Doll, PhD
Department of Public Health
University of Oxford
Oxford, England

Nomphilo P. Buthelezi, NDip
Africa Centre for Health and Population Studies
University of KwaZulu-Natal
Mtubatuba, South Africa

Andrew Tomkins, FRCPCH
Centre for International Child Health
Institute of Child Health
University College London
London, England

Alan Stein, FRCPsych
alan.stein@psych.ox.ac.uk
Section of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
University of Oxford
Oxford, England

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