Determinants of social support among people living with HIV in Nigeria-a multicenter cross-sectional study

Relationship between social support and psychological symptoms in people living with HIV/AIDS, at risk of developing HIV - associated dementia

People living with HIV/AIDS often present neuropsychiatric symptoms, including cognitive and mood-related manifestations. Social support helps to cope with adverse events related to mental health. We aimed to analyze the relationship between satisfaction with social support and psychological symptoms in people living with HIV/AIDS at risk of developing HIV-associated dementia. An observational, cross-sectional, and correlational study was conducted. Assessment instruments included: sociodemographic questionnaire; Social Support Scale for People Living with HIV [Seidl & Tróccoli, 2006. Development of a scale for the social support evaluation in HIV/AIDS. Psicologia: Teoria e Pesquisa, 22(3), 317-326.], Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) [Canavarro, 1999. Psychopathological Symptom Inventory - BSI. In M. G. M. R. Simões, & L. S. Almeida (Eds.), Psychological tests and tests in Portugal (Vol. II, pp. 87-109). SHO/APPORT.]; and International HIV Dementia Scale (IHDS). The sample consisted of 255 participants with a mean age of 48.16 years, 80.8% male, 68.6% living mostly with someone else. The strongest correlation was between the perception of availability of emotional support and availability of instrumental support, r (255) = 0.992; p < 0.001. Individuals with higher satisfaction with perceived emotional support had fewer psychological symptoms. Those with a higher Global Severity Index score on the BSI had a higher risk of dementia. An association was found between symptoms of psychological distress and a higher likelihood of developing HIV-related dementia. To reduce the risk of HIV-associated dementia, it is imperative to improve social support networks, which can serve as a vital clinical strategy.

Psychometric properties of the multidimensional scale of perceived social support among university of Ibadan medical students

INTRODUCTION

The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) is widely used to measure perceived social support. Despite its extensive application, the scale's psychometric properties have not been tested among Nigerian medical students, who face high levels of psychological distress. This study aims to evaluate the reliability, validity and factor structure of the MSPSS among medical students at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

METHOD

A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with 355 preclinical and clinical medical students from the University of Ibadan. Data were collected through an online questionnaire utilising the MSPSS, which includes three subscales: family, friends, and significant other. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha, and construct validity was evaluated through factor analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to assess model fit.

RESULTS

The MSPSS demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.927), with subscale reliability for family (α = 0.892), friends (α = 0.927), and significant other (α = 0.927). Factor analysis confirmed a three-factor structure consistent with the original MSPSS, explaining 80.3% of the variance. CFA showed strong model fit indices (CFI = 0.976, TLI = 0.966, RMSEA = 0.071).

CONCLUSION

The MSPSS is a reliable and valid tool for assessing perceived social support among Nigerian medical students. The findings highlight the scale's applicability for identifying students at risk and guiding necessary interventions in medical education.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER

Not Applicable.

Trajectories of posttraumatic growth among people living with HIV: a grounded theory-based qualitative analysis

BACKGROUND

HIV infection could be regarded as a trauma that causes multidimensional distress experiences among people living with HIV. While people living with HIV may also experience positive changes which can lead to post-traumatic growth in the process of struggling with trauma. Current research has neglected the personal experience of people living with HIV, and there is a lack of qualitative research that further explores the dynamic post-traumatic growth trajectory. This study aims to explore and analyze the post-traumatic growth trajectory among people living with HIV to provide a reference for future targeted interventions.

METHODS

A programmed grounded theory-based qualitative study was conducted. Data were gathered using semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 30 people living with HIV in southwest China from April 2024 to May 2024, which were then analyzed and integrated using grounded theory.

RESULTS

30 interviewees were between 27 and 59 years old, 18 males and 12 females, and their education levels were mainly primary school or illiterate. Trajectories of post-traumatic growth among people living with HIV are viewed as the core category and consist of four phases, which are initial (trauma and stress), support (contemplation and help-seeking), internalization (acceptance and change), and growth (hope and future).

CONCLUSIONS

The post-traumatic growth trajectory among people living with HIV is a complex and dynamic process. Medical staff should dynamically evaluate post-traumatic growth developmental phases and provide individualized psychological interventions to facilitate transitions and transformations between phases and ultimately achieving self-growth.

Factors associated with perceived social support among adolescents in Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study

Introduction

Perceived social support plays a crucial role in adolescent development, health, well-being, and resilience. Understanding the factors associated with perceived social support among adolescents is essential for designing effective interventions. However, research in this area, particularly within specific contexts, remains limited. Therefore, this study aims to identify the factors associated with perceived social support among adolescents in the Gamo Zone, South Ethiopia Regional State.

Method

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted, involving 1172 adolescents selected through a stratified multi-stage sampling method. Structured face-to-face interviews were employed for data collection. Summary statistics were utilized for data presentation. Multiple linear regressions were then performed to identify factors associated with perceived social support. The strength and direction of associations were presented using β coefficients and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The level of statistical significance was set at alpha 5%.

Result

The total mean for perceived social support among adolescents was 57.02 ± 12.68. Adolescents living with their biological parents reported significantly higher levels of perceived social support (β = 4.17, 95% CI: 2.00 to 6.34) compared to their counterparts. Similarly, adolescents engaged in paid work within the last 12 months reported higher perceived social support (β = 3.43, 95% CI: 1.39 to 5.46). Higher levels of parental monitoring were also associated with increased perceived social support (β = 3.03, 95% CI: 1.23 to 4.82). Additionally, adolescents who perceived risks for sexual and reproductive health (SRH) problems reported higher levels of perceived social support (β = 2.76, 95% CI: 0.84 to 4.69). Moreover, adolescents with good knowledge about SRH rights exhibited increased perceived social support (β = 2.46, 95% CI: 0.89 to 4.02). Furthermore, adolescents residing in rural areas reported higher levels of perceived social support compared to those in urban areas (β = 1.56, 95% CI: 0.16 to 3.11).

Conclusion

The findings of this study reveal that factors such as living arrangements, employment status, parental monitoring, perceived risks for SRH problems, knowledge about SRH rights, and geographical context emerged as important predictors of perceived social support. Therefore, implementing interventions and initiatives to address these identified factors holds promise for nurturing resilient adolescent social support networks.

Determinants of HIV/AIDS treatment and care service quality in Woliso Town, Oromia, Ethiopia: in the case of HIV prevention and control project

In Ethiopia, even though there is an effort to increase ART services, different challenges remain in the provision of HIV/AIDS treatment and care services, and little has been done to evaluate patient satisfaction levels. The purpose of this study is to assess the determinants of HIV/AIDS treatment and care service quality. A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted during from October 2023 to November 2023 in Woliso Town. The total sample size was generated using a systematic random sampling method from the source population. The results of the study showed that client satisfaction with HIV/AIDS treatment and care service quality was 272 (81.4%) with 95% CI: 76.9-85.3%. Government employees were 67% less likely to be satisfied with HIV/AIDS treatment and care service quality (AOR = 0.33 95% CI: 0.11, 0.99) when compared to unemployed clients. The odds of client satisfaction were 6.72 times higher among study participants who do not have health insurance membership cards (AOR = 6.72 95% CI: 3.42, 13.91) compared to those who have health insurance membership cards. The odds of client satisfaction were 2.77 times higher among study participants who reported the availability of community referral for any social support (AOR = 2.77 95% CI: 1.12, 6.84) when compared to those who did not report. Those study participants for whom privacy was kept during the examination were 8.67 times higher to be satisfied (AOR = 8.67 95% CI: 2.53, 29.68) compared to those for whom privacy was not kept during the examination. In conclusion, the client satisfaction on HIV/AIDS treatment and care service quality was relatively high in the study area. Occupational status, health insurance membership cards, availability of community referral for any social support and keeping privacy during examination have significant associations with HIV/AIDS treatment and care service quality in terms of client satisfaction.

The Unheard Stories: Experiences of Young People Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Dealing with Discrimination in the Philippines

Purpose

The aim of this study is to gain an in-depth understanding of the experiences of young people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (YPLHIV) in dealing with discrimination and contribute to a more efficient response.

Patients and Methods

We utilised qualitative descriptive research-narrative inquiry. Twenty YPLHIV aged 19 to 24 under treatment from HIV hubs in Metro Manila, Philippines were purposely selected for an in-depth individual interview. Data were transcribed verbatim and manually coded and analysed using narrative thematic analysis.

Results

We found that HIV knowledge and beliefs of YPLHIV plays a huge role in their experience. Second, dealing with HIV stereotypes contributed to how they assume judgments from others (perceived stigma) and may have internalised the stigma which alters their belief toward self and the disease. Third, thoughts of suicide, experiencing emotional dissonance, and having difficulty embracing one's identity indicate declined mental health. Fourth, they continuously seek and may have received support from significant others and the community. Some may have directly received or perceived discrimination, but the YPLHIV reported that support received from others plays positively vital role in their journey. Finally, the disease helped change their behaviour and, in turn, brought them to lifestyle change as they are eager to be undetectable and untransmissible (U=U) and perpetually reflect on the ordeal challenge of adhering to treatment.

Conclusion

Our study concluded that the stigma and discrimination that YPLHIVs endured were caused by misinformation about the disease and stems from both within themselves and from others around them. Support received from friends, family members, and the community helped them deal with their circumstances. We recommend that efforts be made by both the government and non-government to develop programs distinctly for YPLHIV. Future research may explore the mental health aspect as this has been found concerning in the narratives among young population patients.

The mediating effect of psychological resilience between social support and anxiety/depression in people living with HIV/AIDS-a study from China

Objective To understand the relationship between psychological resilience in social support and anxiety/depression in people living with HIV/AIDS and to verify whether there is a mediating effect. Methods The questionnaire was administered to 161 people living with HIV/AIDS in a hospital. The questionnaire contained a general questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Psychological Resilience Inventory (CD-RICS), and the Social Collaborative Support Scale (PSSS), and Pearson correlation analyses were used to explore the correlation between the factors and anxiety/depression, stratified linear regression analyses were used to validate the mediation model, and the bootstrap method was used to test for mediating effects. Results Anxiety was negatively correlated with psychological resilience and social support (r=-0.232, P < 0.01; r=-0.293, P < 0.01); depression was negatively correlated with psychological resilience and social support (r=-0.382, P < 0.01; r=-0.482, P < 0.01); there was a mediation effect model of social support between psychological resilience and anxiety/depression; psychological resilience played a fully mediating role in social support and anxiety/depression, with an effect contribution of 68.42%/59.34% and a 95% CI(-0.256~-0.036)/(-0.341 to~-0.106). Conclusion Psychological resilience plays a complete mediating effect between social support and anxiety/depression. It is recommended that more channels of social support be provided to patients with HIV/AIDS, thereby enhancing their psychological resilience and reducing anxiety/depression levels.