592 Available Online at www.ijscia.com | Volume 4 | Issue 4 | Jul - Aug 2023 Effects of Depression on HIV Mujeeb A. Salawu MD 1 , Adenike R. Sulaiman MD 2 , Ibrahim L. Folorunsho MD 3 , Fola Ishola MD 4 , Obiamaka P. Okereke MD 5 , Adeyemi H. Alaga MD 6 , Adaeze B. Chukwuedozie-Echeazu MD 7 , Okelue E. Okobi MD 8* , Temitope O. Sobayo MD 9 , Emeka K. Okobi MD 10 , Mohammed Raaid O Musa MD 11 , Abimbola Eunice Arisoyin MD 12 , and Courage O. Ekejiuba (MBBCh) 13 1 Houston Health Department, Houston, TX, USA 2 Lagos State University, College of Medicine, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria 3 Bader Al Janoub General Hospital, Najran, Saudi Arabia 4 Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), TX, USA 5 Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. 6 Grand River Hospital, Kitchener, Ontario. Canada 7 University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria. 8 Larkin Community Hospital, Palms Spring Campus, Hialeah, FL, USA 9 All Saints University School of Medicine · Roseau, DMA 10 Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria 11 University of Ilorin teaching hospital, Ilorin Kwara, Nigeria 12 Georgetown Behavioral Health Institute, Georgetown, Texas 13 Excellence Community Education Welfare Scheme (ECEWS) Abuja, Nigeria E-mail: salawumujeeb@yahoo.com; drnike.sulaiman@gmail.com; ibrahimfolorunsho@yahoo.com; afolarin.ishola@eagles.usm.edu; Obiamakafavour@yahoo.com; adeyemialaga@yahoo.ca; Mail4adaeze@gmail.com; Drokelue.e.okobi@gmail.com; tfatunriyele@yahoo.com; isikakenneth08@gmail.com; Raaidmusa25@gmail.com; abimbolaarisoyin@gmail.com; ekecourage1@gmail.com *Corresponding author details: Okelue E. Okobi MD; drokelue.e.okobi@gmail.com ABSTRACT Depression is a pressing issue in individuals living with HIV (PLWH), attracting the attention of epidemiologists and physicians. Approximately 39% of PLWH experience some level of depression associated with accelerated disease progression and poor health outcomes. Depression rates among PLWH range from 22% to 71%, yet it remains underdiagnosed in many cases. HIV infection has significant negative psychological effects due to its neurotropic nature, potentially leading to neuropathological changes in the brain’s grey matter and subsequent depression. Furthermore, depression is linked to increased healthcare utilization, decreased quality of life, and higher suicide rates in PLWH. It is also associated with poor adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART), leading to immunological failure and increased HIV transmission risk. Therefore, effective management of depression is crucial for HIV patients. This literature review aimed to understand the impact of mental disorders, particularly depression, on HIV/AIDS. The methodology involved an extensive search of medical databases using specific keywords and inclusion criteria. The results revealed a disproportionately high level of depression in HIV patients, negatively affecting disease progression and quality of life. Biologically, HIV triggers inflammation and sickness behavior resembling depressive symptoms. Depression is associated with low CD4 cell counts, high viral loads, accelerated HIV-to-AIDS progression, and increased mortality risk. Consequently, integrating depression screening and psychological healthcare into regular HIV/AIDS care is essential to address the elevated prevalence rates of depression in PLWH and improve public health outcomes. Keywords: regional general hospital; medicine; inventory; ABC-VEN; continuous review system INTRODUCTION HIV/AIDS remains a significant global public health concern, posing a threat with over 75 million infections and 32 million AIDS-related deaths since the beginning of the HIV epidemic [1-5]. Consequently, depression has emerged as a critical public health issue, recognized as a global crisis due to its substantial contribution to the overall disease burden, higher rates of co-occurring conditions compared to other diseases, and associated disabilities [1-7]. International Journal of Scientific Advances ISSN: 2708-7972 Volume: 4 | Issue: 4 | Jul – Aug 2023 Available Online: www.ijscia.com DOI: 10.51542/ijscia.v4i4.16