Depressive symptoms are associated with a higher risk.

• A. Higher risk
• B. Lower risk
• C. No change
• D. Not related

Answer: (A)

Depressive symptoms in people living with HIV influence daily management and care engagement, which in turn raises the likelihood of negative health outcomes. When someone feels depressed, motivation, energy, and concentration often drop, making it harder to take medications on schedule, keep clinic appointments, or follow complex treatment plans. This inconsistent ART exposure increases the chance of viral rebound, the development of drug resistance, immune decline, and ultimately worse health outcomes, including higher mortality. So, the association is with a higher risk. The other options would imply no effect, a protective effect, or the opposite, which contradicts how depression undermines adherence and ongoing care in HIV.