Citation

Kelbert EF, Pinheiro LM, Souza LDM, Pinheiro CAT, Pinheiro KAT, Motta JVS, Barros MMD, Coelho FMC, Souza MS, Martins CSR, Pinheiro RT. AIDS Care 2019; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Programa de Graduação em Saúde e Comportamento, Universidade Católica de Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/09540121.2019.1695732

PMID

31801367

Abstract

Suicide is an important problem in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). The importance of mental disorders and social vulnerability on suicidal behaviors is described in the literature; however, the impact of childhood traumatic events in this scenario is not clear. The aim of this study was to verify the mediation effect of mental disorder comorbidities and social vulnerability in association with childhood trauma intensity and suicide risk level. This cross-sectional study of HIV-positive outpatients was conducted in a specialized care service in the city of Pelotas in Southern Brazil. Sociodemographic data and HIV-related information were collected and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire was applied. A total of 364 patients underwent psychiatric evaluation using MINI Plus including module C of suicide risk severity. Suicide risk was present in 39.3% of the sample. The relation between childhood traumatic events and the level of suicide risk is mediated by mental disorder comorbidities and socioeconomic vulnerability. Specific psychosocial interventions in PLWHA should consider the potential role of abusive traumatic experiences in the current mental health conditions and suicidal behaviors.

Language: en

Keywords

HIV; Suicide; childhood trauma; mental disorders; socioeconomic vulnerability