Depression, social support, and stigma as predictors of quality of life over time: results from an Asha-based HIV/AIDS intervention in India

Abstract

Quality of life (QOL) is associated with better outcomes in HIV/AIDS populations, yet few studies have examined variables that predict improvements in QOL over time. We explored these issues in a sample (N=600) of Women Living with HIV/AIDS (WLH/A) in India, enrolled in a nurse-led Asha (Accredited Social Health Activist) intervention. Trained local interviewers ascertained self-report data using metrics previously validated in Indian populations at baseline and again 6 months later. Prior to enrollment, on average women were 34.31 (SD=6.96) years old and had received their diagnosis 48.16 months (SD=34.56) ago. Latent Class Analysis (LCA) was utilized to identify constellations of responses on key psychosocial indicators (depression, social support, internalized stigma and stigma fears) and their relationship with QOL over time. At

A retrospective analysis of the care cascades for non‐communicable disease and mental health among people living with HIV at a tertiary‐care centre in Malaysia: opportunities to identify gaps and optimize care

“…The management of mental health among participants showed a clear lapse in screening practices and recognition of the need for referrals by HIV care providers. Screening for mental health is not routinely performed in many HIV treatment sites in the Asia-Pacific region [8,24] despite high reported prevalence for a range of mental health disorders among PLWH [25][26][27]. The sentiment and clinical experience of our HIV providers are that participants are reluctant to attend psychiatry clinics likely due to stigma (personal communication) and thus in the absence of opportunities for intervention, there is limited value to perform screening.…”

“They Kept Away”: Social Isolation of Cisgender Women Living with HIV in Hyderabad, India

“…Psychosocial factors are important predictors of quality of life for women living with HIV. In a study of 600 women living with HIV in India, an intervention led by nurses who worked as "social health activists" was found to be effective at increasing women's access to social resources and social support (Garfin et al 2019). This case management approach, well known to clinical social workers, may be especially useful in not only helping link women living with HIV with needed resources, but also ensuring that they are connected to circles of social support.…”

Translation, Adaption, and Psychometric Testing of the Myanmar Version of the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey for People Living With HIV/AIDS

“…Studies have demonstrated that the benefits of social support, such as improved access and adherence to care (Kim et al, 2017), decreased depression (McDowell and Serovich, 2007;Seffren et al, 2018), decreased perceived stigma (Arshi et al, 2020), increased ART adherence (Huynh et al, 2013), increased CD4 counts (Persson et al, 2002), and decreased alcohol use (Hershow et al, 2020), contributes to both mental and physical health among PLHIV. Such support also results in better QOL (Hou et al, 2014;Oetzel et al, 2014;Garfin et al, 2019). Given its positive health impact on PLHIV, social support has been incorporated into clinical interventions in HIV health care (Horvath et al, 2013;Eaton et al, 2019;Garfin et al, 2019).…”

“…Such support also results in better QOL (Hou et al, 2014;Oetzel et al, 2014;Garfin et al, 2019). Given its positive health impact on PLHIV, social support has been incorporated into clinical interventions in HIV health care (Horvath et al, 2013;Eaton et al, 2019;Garfin et al, 2019). Therefore, a validated psychometric measurement tool is necessary in order to better understand and evaluate social support among PLHIV and promote health-related social support interventions in fighting HIV (Yu et al, 2015).…”

“…This viral suppression indicates that those PLHIV who received ART would be in good physical health. However, HIV-related psychological distress, such as stress, depression, anxiety, and stigma, still influence the quality of life (QOL) among PLHIV, as those psychosocial needs are rarely addressed ( Lazarus et al, 2016 ; Betancur et al, 2017 ; Garfin et al, 2019 ; Olson et al, 2019 ), especially in Myanmar, which has poor public health resources ( UNAIDS, 2019 ). These HIV-related negative experiences may be countered by establishing strong social support systems ( Kim et al, 2017 ).…”