Psychological and behavioral issues of a cohort of Puerto Rican HIV/AIDS patients

The current study describes the psychological and behavioral issues of a cohort of Puerto Rican HIV/AIDS patients. Differences in the depression mean score were determined and the predictor variables of depression among a cohort of Puerto Rican HIV/AIDS patients were also identified. Design: Cross-sectional survey of a longitudinal cohort (N=1,500). Methods: The setting of this study was the Immunologic,oic Clinic and the Dr. Ramon Ruiz Arnau University Hospital in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. The sample was composed initially of 58 patients who had completed the Beck Inventory depression test (alpha Cronbach=0.93) and who were registered at the HIV/AIDS Central Registry between April 1995 and July 1996. Results: Women had higher depression scores than men. High education groups (>12th grade) had lower depression scores than low education groups. Patients reporting heterosexual practices had higher depression score than patients without that practice. A multiple linear regression showed that predictors variables of the depression score were gender and education. Conclusions: A wide spectrum of psychological and behavioral features were present within the HIV/AIDS sample, including depression.