Perceived Social Support among HIV Positive and HIV Negative People in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: People living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) are assumed to have poor social support. This study compared the satisfaction with perceived social support of people living with HIV and AIDS with HIV negative patients. Method: 150 HIV positive patients were age and sex matched with 150 HIV negative patients in a cross sectional comparative study. Information on socio-demography and social support was assessed with questionnaire including multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS). Chi square test, student t-test, and linear regression analysis were done at p = 0.05 level of significance. Result: Mean age of the HIV positive versus HIV negative patients is 38.1 ± 9.0 years versus 37.7 ± 9.2 years. Both groups had the lowest social support scores from family, (FA): 3.81 ± 1.08 vs 3.95 ± 0.89, p = 0.240. Perceived support from friends (FR) was higher in the HIV negative group 7.41 ± 1.99 vs 5.55 ± 2.34, p = 0.000 as well as perceived total support (TS), 3.94 ± 0.68 vs 3.59 ± 0.77, p = 0.000. Linear regression for all the respondents revealed HIV status contributed the most and predicted TS and FR scores respectively (β = −0.181 95% C.I = −5.843 to −0.766, p = 0.010 and β = −0.317, 95% C.I, −4.260 to −1.792, p = 0.000). For PLWHA group, employment contributed most to perceived TS (β = −0.181 95% C.I −11.812 to −0.0361, p = 0.049). However, in HIV negative group, TS and FR had the greatest contribution from marital status, (β = −0.416 95% C.I −6.157 to −1.829, p = 0.000) and (β = −0.381 95% C.I −2.851 to −0.756, p = 0.001). Also, the current living status (β = −0.268, 95% C.I −3.238 to −0.360, p = 0.015, and β = −0.241 95% C.I −1.48 to −0.09, p = 0.027). Conclusion: All respondents had the poorest perception of support from family (FA). Lack of employment is the most important factor identified in this group of PLWHA, responsible for the poor TS. For the HIV negative group, not being married and living outside family setting were the strongest factors for poor social support.

Social support serves emotion regulation function in death anxiety among people living with HIV/AIDS

“…Items are rated on a 5-point Likert-type scale, ranging from strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (5). Based on previous research (e.g., Folasire et al, 2014), a significant other was explained as a special person that the respondent feels closer to besides family and friends and with whom one can discuss personal issues (e.g., church leaders/members, teachers, and colleagues). The three support sources as contained in MSPSS have been identified to be among the major sources of support among PLWHA in Africa (see Lypen et al, 2015).…”

Perceived Social Support and Its Association with Depression Among Patients Infected with HIV: A Hospital Based Study in Jos, Nigeria

“…In this study, low level of perceived social support was found to be significantly associated with certain factors which included female gender, age group ≥ 45 years, shorter known duration of HIV diagnosis, lower educational status, lower monthly income, unemployed status and no history of affiliation with a support group. A study in the western part of Nigeria also identified lack of employment as a significant factor in low level of perceived social support [22]. This relationship between perceived social support and some of the listed factors can be attributed to the fact that in many instances, a lower level of education is more likely to result in a lower income or even unemployment and the ensuing need to rely on others for material and ultimately social support.…”

Determination of the effect of self-care based on the need for quality of life in people with AIDS

“…The results of the study of Ebachi and Behroan showed that the severe stigma affects the health of the individual and the community, and with the acceptance of these patients in society, the burden of mental illness can be reduced and life satisfaction increases [31]. A study conducted in 2013 in Nigeria showed that people who are supported by the community and the family and have a family background and job have the best status, and those who are rejected from the family are in the worst situation [13]. In relation to psychiatric support there are so many different ways in which one of the best practices is the self-care approach, so that psychological components in people are strengthened so much that sick people themselves take care of their health.…”

“…To control this hygiene, social and cultural challenge, it seems that we should seek to change the behavior of the affected individuals and those with high-risk behaviors in the community [12]. Chronic disease especially HIV has a severe negative impact on the quality of life, mental health and the economic situation of the community [13][14][15] and families with AIDS [16,17] and neglecting the lives of AIDS patients, lack of proper social status, acquiring a social stigma [18], etc., makes these patients be involved in irresponsible behaviors that lead to the spread of the virus and infection of large numbers of people in the community [19]. Considering the above-mentioned issues, in order to improve the quality of life, we must seek to reduce the social, health, cultural and economic problems of AIDS patients, and this cannot be achieved except by the efforts of all people in the community, especially the healthcare team that through appropriate treatment and gaining the confidence of these patients and organizing classes and study sessions, understands their problems so that patients feel that the community values them and they are treated like other patients, they can learn and can identify their problems and get guidance.…”