Articles Vol. 67 No. 5 25/05/2026

PREVALENCE OF DEPRESSION AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH SOCIAL SUPPORT, AND TREATMENT ADHERENCE AMONG HIV-POSITIVE MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN AT OUTPATIENT CLINICS IN HO CHI MINH CITY

To Hong Nguyet1,2, Vo Trieu Ly3,4, Nguyen Duong Minh Tai1,2, Huynh Giao1,2
1 (3) Faculty of Public Health, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City
2 (1) Khoa Y tế Công cộng – Đại học Y dược Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh
3 (4) Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Ho Chi Minh City
4 (2) Bệnh viện Bệnh Nhiệt đới Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh
DOI: 10.52163/yhc.v67i5.5183
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Keywords
Depression, Social support, MSM, Treatment adherence, HIV/AIDS.
Abstract

1) Objectives: To determine the prevalence of depression and its associations with social support and treatment adherence among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) at outpatient clinics in Ho Chi Minh City.

2) Methods: A cross-sectional study on 412 MSM patients receiving ARV treatment at three ward health stations: Xom Chieu, Cho Lon, and Phu Tho Hoa. Chi-square () and Fisher's exact tests were utilized to determine the relationships between independent variables and depression status.

3) Results: The prevalence of depression was 16.3%. The treatment adherence rate was very high at 93.9%, and the majority of patients reported high (43.0%) and moderate (35.9%) levels of social support. The study found statistically significant associations between depression and both treatment adherence (p = 0.033) and the level of social support (p = 0.036). Additionally, income and sexual behavior characteristics were also related to depression (p < 0.05).

4) Conclusions: In univariate analysis, depression in MSM was significantly correlated with social support and treatment adherence. It is necessary to strengthen social support networks and psychological interventions to optimize ARV treatment efficacy.

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