Research ties depression to risk of HIV infection

Contracting HIV likely increases the risk of depression, and research has revealed that the reverse may also be true. According to a recent study, depression can increase the likelihood of engaging in hazardous sexual behavior.

Researchers associated with the University of Alberta found that, among almost 2,000 men and women, those who exhibited signs of depression had a higher chance of engaging in behaviors associated with the risk of contracting HIV.

Depressed women were more likely to experience sexual violence, have an older partner and be in a controlling or abusive relationship.

Likewise, the study determined that men with depression were more likely to rape, pay for sex and have three or more partners in a lifetime.

All these behaviors were associated with a higher likelihood of becoming HIV-positive.

The study’s authors conclude that STD screening and prevention might be made easier if at-risk populations had access to mental health services. Individuals whose circumstances make it difficult to utilize, or appear in, public clinics may consider online testing services as an efficient, more private screening option.

Over a fifth of the 1.1 million Americans with HIV are unaware of being infected, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.