PREVALENCE OF DEPRESSION AMONG HIV-POSITI VE INDIVIDUALS - REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Prevalence studies of depression conducted until now on HIV-positive p ersons are being summarized. Results of the studies generally suggest that depressive disorders are not more frequent in HIV-positive indivi duals than in HIV-negative male homosexuals or the population as a who le. Data however suggest a stronger prevalence of depression in HIV-po sitive homosexual males than in heterosexual males. On the other hand, research results indicate that a life history of depression is freque nt with HIV-positive people. But then, again, data reveal that homosex ual males, whether or not HIV-positive, have a higher prevalence of li fe history depression. It would appear that this vulnerability to suff ering of depression is more associated with homosexuality than with an eventual seroconversion. Research avenues on this subject are propose d.