Journal
AIDS AND BEHAVIOR
Volume 26, Issue 4, Pages 1289-1298Publisher
SPRINGER/PLENUM PUBLISHERS
DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03486-4
Keywords
Blood pressure; Pregnancy; Suicidal ideation; Depression; HIV
Funding
- National Institute of Child Health and Human Development [R01HD078187]
- Miami Center for AIDS Research at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine - National Institutes of Health [P30AI073961]
- Ford Foundation Fellowship
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This study found a positive association between diastolic blood pressure and depressive symptomatology and suicidal ideation among pregnant women with HIV. Even after controlling for other variables, this relationship still existed. These findings suggest that pregnant women with HIV and elevated diastolic blood pressure may be at greater risk for antenatal depression and suicidal ideation. Future research should focus on potential mechanisms and directionality of this relationship, as well as other contributing factors.
Although prior research has examined associations between blood pressure (BP), depression, and suicidal ideation, few studies have examined this in high-risk populations such as pregnant women with HIV (WHIV). The current study examined the association of BP with depression and suicidal ideation among pregnant WHIV (n = 217) in rural South Africa. BP data (measured <= 1 month before the study visit) was extracted from medical records. Depressive symptomatology and suicidal ideation were assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Diastolic BP was positively associated with both suicidal ideation and depressive symptomatology, even after controlling for demographic variables, gestational age, and intimate partner violence. These findings suggest that WHIV with elevated BP may be at greater risk for antenatal depression and suicidal ideation. Future research should utilize longitudinal designs to examine potential mechanisms and the directionality of the relationship, as well as other contributing factors.
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