Focusing on suicide prevention in people with HIV

Compared with the general population, people with HIV have an elevated risk of dying by suicide. 1 Brown LA Majeed I Mu W et al. Suicide risk among persons living with HIV. AIDS Care. 2021; 33: 616-622 Crossref PubMed Scopus (3) Google Scholar Although previous research has studied and investigated suicide mortality in people with HIV, there are insufficient relevant data focusing on the trend of suicide mortality in a large, representative sample on a national scale. In The Lancet HIV, Fangfang Chen and colleagues 2 Chen F Cai C Wang S et al. Trends in suicide mortality among people with HIV after diagnosis during 2012–18: a retrospective, national cohort study in China. Lancet HIV. 2022; 9: e102-e111 Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (1) Google Scholar assessed a large, nationwide cohort of people with HIV in China during 2012–18, calculated the suicide mortality, and identified the risk factors and trends in suicide unique to this group of people. This study was based on the data retrieved from the real-time and web-based surveillance systems of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The findings from Chen and colleagues’ study 2 Chen F Cai C Wang S et al. Trends in suicide mortality among people with HIV after diagnosis during 2012–18: a retrospective, national cohort study in China. Lancet HIV. 2022; 9: e102-e111 Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (1) Google Scholar show a nationally representative picture of suicide mortality in people with HIV, and also highlight the highest risk period for suicide after HIV diagnosis and the impact of government policies on health care for this group of people. HIV epidemiology in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean region: a multicountry programme reviewIn the Eastern Mediterranean region, inefficient testing and suboptimal treatment lead to underdiagnosis, persisting transmission, late treatment, and rising mortality. The HIV epidemic is growing faster than the response. A change in thinking is needed to test groups at high risk, transition to optimised treatment, and deliver patient-centred services that maximise retention. Full-Text PDF Trends in suicide mortality among people with HIV after diagnosis during 2012–18: a retrospective, national cohort study in ChinaSuicide mortality decreased during the study period, which coincided with improvement in access to care and treatment coverage. This study suggests the importance of targeted suicide prevention for people with HIV throughout the course of diagnosis and that the focus of efforts should be concentrated on the first 3 months after diagnosis. Our findings highlight the urgent need to integrate suicide screening and prevention in HIV care. Full-Text PDF