Effectiveness of depression interventions for people living with HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review & meta-analysis of psychological & immunological outcomes

•Pharmacological interventions showed the greatest improvement in depression scores.•Meta-analysis showed non-significant improvements in immune status.•Antidepressants alone might not address ART non-adherence associated with MDD.•A combination of psychological and pharmacological treatment is recommended. This meta-analytic review evaluated the effectiveness of depression interventions on the psychological and immunological outcomes of people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. 14 studies, yielding 932 participants were eligible. A random-effects models indicated that depression interventions were followed by large reductions in depression scores (effect size = 1.86, 95% CI = 1.71, 2.01, p