the stigma associated with the diagnosis5, belonging to groups with greater vulnerability to psychiatric disorders2 and biological mechanisms of viral action6. Hence, a complex interaction between the biological and psychosocial factors is involved in the incidence of depressive manifestations (e.g., depressed mood, loss of interest and enjoyment in usual activities, reduced energy and decreased activity, reduced self-esteem and confidence, ideas of guilt and unworthiness, pessimistic thoughts, disturbed sleep and appetite, ideas of self-harm) among individuals with HCV. The literature shows a continuum of severity in depressive manifestations, ranging from subclinical depressive symptoms in the early stages to the full-blown disorder, which includes both minor and chronic depression (dysthymia) and more severe and recurrent depressive episodes (major depression)7.
The use of injectable psychoactive substances is an important risk factor for most incidences of HCV transmission2. In Brazil, 63.9% of injectable drug users are infected with HCV8, and the prevalence of HCV ranges from 5.8% to 36.2% among all users of psychoactive substances9.