Assefa Berihun (PhD)Meheret Gezahagen2024-11-202024-11-202023-12https://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/3662Depression is a prevalent mental healthcare problem and a common cause of disability worldwide. Globally many people are exposed to different psychological problems because of different reasons. One of the psychological disorders is depression. Ethiopia is one of the sub-Saharan countries highly affected by HIV, though the prevalence decreased from 1.5% in 2011 to 1.16%in 2017, it is still a great public health problem. The general objective of this study was to examine the experience of depression and predictive factors among HIV patients taking antiretroviral treatment at Menelik II comprehensive specialized hospital. Methodologically, quantitative research design, specifically, descriptive approach has been used in the collection of data in order to test hypothesis. The study was conducted from March to August, 2023 in Addis Ababa Menelik II Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. A total of 418 illegible study participants were assessed. According to the finding obtained by this study the overall, the level of Depression in Menelik II Comprehensive Specialized Hospital among People living with HIV/AIDS attending in ART the prevalence of depression Among the respondents 155 (40.2%) were depressed (95%CI:28.5-37.5%)usingPHQ-9 Depression were identified as dependent factors were significantly associated (P-value <0.05) with peoples who are living with HIV/AIDS on ART. In this study, nearly half of the patients in the ART were depressed. Females, divorced patients, participants who are poor social support and HIV-related perceived stigma were significantly associated with depression. Although the burden of depression is high among HIV-positive patients, itis under diagnosed and undertreated in the ART. Based on the above findings, the investigator recommended the following points to health providers, to link those patients who had positive results for depression, other co-morbid illness, divorced patients, participants who are poor social support and HIV-related perceived stigma for care and psycho-therapy at psychiatry clinics to give concern on mental health along with medical illness, Menelik II Comprehensive Specialized Hospital Addis Ababa Ethiopia and other stakeholders should develop plan for integration work. Key words: Depression, HAART, antiretroviral therapy, HIV/AIDS, Menelik II Comprehensive Specialized Hospital Ethiopian 2023enDepressionHAARTantiretroviral therapyHIV/AIDSMenelik II Comprehensive Specialized Hospital Ethiopian 2023Thesis