P18.11 Examining the effect of case management on levels of depression among newly diagnosed people living with hiv in taiwan

Introduction Over half of Taiwan’s HIV patients have been enrolled in case management. One of goals of HIV case management is to provide physical and mental consultations for the clients’ need. The prevalence of depression in people living with HIV (PLWHA) is higher than that in the general public and possibly leads to worse HIV related outcomes. The aims of this study were to evaluate the efficacy of PLWHA in case management services so as to improve any depression and/or related symptoms. Methods With various levels of depression, as according to the Centre for Epidemiological Studies - Depression (CES-D) scale, 88 HIV newly diagnosed subjects were enrolled in the study. After 6-month intervention of case management, their depression status were re-evaluated and compared. Results No significant differences for depression status were found 6 months after the intervention of case management among study subjects (p = 0.345). However, the results of linear regression analysis indicated that those who had family support (beta = 0.303, p = 0 .012) and lower HIV viral load (beta =  -0.265, p = 0 .041) would have better improvement for depression. Conclusion Our findings indicate case management offers no apparent help lowering depression among PLWHA. However, HIV case managers should remind and assist physicians to paying more attention to PLWHA with lower family support or higher HIV viral load to avoid depression symptoms happened. Disclosure of interest statement The Australasian Society for HIV Medicine recognises the considerable contribution that industry partners make to professional and research activities. We also recognise the need for transparency of disclosure of potential conflicts of interest by acknowledging these relationships in publications and presentations. Nothing to declare.