Abstract:
Introduction: Injecting drug use (IDU) is a key driver of the HIV epidemic particularly when individuals developed depression. The association between depressions and HIV/AIDS among Injecting Drug users in Rwanda is scarcely known by scholars. This study sets out to assess the associations between depression symptoms and frequency of Injecting, social demographic variables and HIV status among IDUS in Kigali. Also, the study understands the network, communication process and available equipment for injecting drugs in Rwanda.
Methods: The study employed a cross-sectional mixed method design randomized with snowballing sampling methods. The sample included 151 Injecting Drug Users (IDUS) from Kigali, Rwanda between November 2018 and March 2019. The validated tools and questionnaire used included socio-demographic information and self-reported substance use, HIV/AIDS and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) . The cross-tabulation Chi-square and multivariate regression analysis were used to demonstrate associations between depression symptoms and HIV/AIDS, frequencies of injection and social demographic variables exclude non-significant variables. We also used thematic analysis for qualitative data.
Results: On the 151 participants, 76.1%(118) presented depressive symptoms and majority of them had severe and moderate depression. The depression symptoms were significantly associated with injecting drugs 1 time to five times /week (AOR, 95% CI: 2.7,1.052 to 7.263) and having casual work (AOR, 95% CI: .229, .056 to .934).
The Age range, gender, marital status and HIV/AIDS status had no significant associations with depression symptoms’. The study found that bars, dealers places, social media, member of the families and friends are the network channels used by IDUrs to communicate. Indeed, water, paper, band and needles are available equipment used during injecting drugs in Kigali.
Conclusion: This study found that severe and moderate depressive symptoms were high among injecting drug users in Kigali. Mental health interventions and better
quality of rehabilitation centers should be important in reducing depression, frequencies of drug injection and substance use in Rwanda.
