Correlates of Suicidal Ideation During Pregnancy and Postpartum Among Women Living with HIV in Rural South Africa.

ABSTRACT: In developing countries, up to 20% of maternal deaths during pregnancy are due to suicide, and being HIV-infected confers additional risk. This manuscript sought to identify perinatal correlates of suicidal ideation among women living with HIV (WLHIV) in rural South Africa. Pregnant WLHIV (N?=?681) were recruited and re-assessed at 12-months postpartum. Mean age was 28.3 (SD?=?5.7) years and 68% were below the poverty line. Prenatal suicidal ideation was 39%; suicidal ideation continued for 7% at 12 months, 13% experienced incident suicidal ideation, and for 19% suicidal ideation had stopped postnatally. Intimate partner violence (AOR?=?1.17) and depression (AOR?=?1.14) predicted sustained suicidal ideation. Increased income (AOR?=?2.25) and greater stigma (AOR?=?1.33) predicted incident suicidal ideation. Younger age (AOR?=?0.94), disclosure of HIV status to partner (AOR?=?0.60), and greater stigma (AOR?=?1.24) predicted postnatal cessation of suicidal ideation. Perinatal care may provide windows of opportunity for identification and treatment of suicidal ideation.

SUBMITTER: Rodriguez VJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6230517 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature