Introduction:
Globally, the depression rate is increasing, and this has a bearing on patients with chronic disease conditions, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Depression is closely related to anxiety, both of which have a negative impact on a patient’s quality of life and in achieving clinical outcomes. Depression and anxiety have been implicated in progression of HIV/AIDS. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of depression and anxiety among HIV-positive patients and to determine their predictors.

Material and methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 305 HIV-positive patients attending the Central Hospital Antiretroviral Therapy Clinic. Outcome measures were: depression using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9); and anxiety using the Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale. Their associations with socio-demographic characteristics were analysed.

Results:
The prevalence of depression was 24.6%. Of these, 6.6% had clinically significant major depressive disorder. Age, sex, education, employment, income, co-morbidity, and smoking were not statistically significant factors for depression. Marital status, recent diagnosis, alcohol use, and anxiety were of statistical significance for depressive symptoms (p < 0.05). Prevalence of anxiety was 25.6%; of these, 5.2% had generalised anxiety disorder requiring further evaluation. 14.1% of depressed patients also had anxiety disorder. Marital status and recent diagnosis were predictors for anxiety.

Conclusions:
One in four study participants had depression and anxiety. Co-morbid anxiety and depression was found in a considerable number of patients. Marital status, recent diagnosis of HIV, alcohol use, and adverse effects from antiretroviral drugs were predictors for depression.