Factors Related to Depressive Symptoms among Individuals with Positive Syphilis Screening Results
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26911/thejmch.2026.11.02.05Abstract
Background: Syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection caused by Treponema pallidum, is not only associated with physical manifestations but also an increased risk of depressive symptoms. This study aimed to examine factors associated with depressive symptoms among syphilis-positive blood donors in Surabaya, with particular attention to family involvement and blood donation frequency.
Subjects and Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 186 prospective blood donors with reactive syphilis screening results in Surabaya, Indonesia. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and family involvement was measured using the Family Support Scale (FSS). Blood donation frequency was categorized as regular (≥ 6 donations) or non-regular (< 6 donations) prior to the diagnosis of syphilis. Data were tested using multivariable binary logistic regression.
Results: Higher levels of depressive symptoms were significantly associated with older age, being unmarried, lower family involvement, and non-regular blood donation in the bivariate analysis. Non-regular blood donation was significantly associated with depressive symptoms (p = 0.023). In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, male sex (OR= 0.320, p= 0.002) and early adulthood (OR= 6.215, p= 0.002) emerged as independent predictors of depressive symptoms.
Conclusion: Depressive symptoms among individuals with positive syphilis screening results are significantly associated with demographic and psychosocial variables. Although family involvement and donation frequency were not independent predictors in the multivariable model, they remain relevant considerations for public health interventions aimed at improving mental health outcomes in this population.
Keywords:
blood donation, depression, family involvement, syphilis, voluntaryHow to Cite
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