Depression and its association with psychological factors among adolescents living with HIV in Southwestern Nigeria

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to determine the prevalence of depressive disorder and associated psychological factors among adolescents living with HIV/AIDS. METHODS: One hundred and five adolescents with HIV were assessed for self-esteem, internalized HIV stigma and diagnosed of depressive disorder. Chi square and t tests were used to test associations and hierarchical logistic regression used to identify independent risk factors for depression. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 16.5 (± 1.97) years and 55.2% were males. Mean stigma scores were significantly higher in those with depressive disorder (16.53 ± 3.85) when compared with those without (13.42 ± 3.464) and this difference was statistically significant (t = 3.17, p = 0.01). The mean self-esteem scores were significantly lower in participants with depressive disorder (17.53 ± 4.69) compared to those without depressive disorder (19.71 ± 3.86), though not significant (t = 1.96, p = 0.053). Depressive disorder was further significantly associated with female sex, being in romantic relationship, decline in work output due to HIV and HIV stigma. Independent risk factors were sex and HIV stigma. CONCLUSION: Depressive disorder is common among adolescents living with HIV infection in Nigeria. The association between HIV stigma and depression, thus suggests the need for prevention strategies targeting the impacts of HIV infection among adolescents. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12888-023-04912-8.