The relationships among social support and quality of life in persons living with HIV/AIDS in Jiangxi and Zhejiang provinces, China

Trajectories of quality of life and mental health during the Covid-19 lockdown and six months after in Italy. A longitudinal exploration

Aim

Covid-19 pandemic and its relative containment measures have affected populations' quality of life and psychological well-being worldwide. The fear related to the pandemic and the imposed containment measures has acted as a trigger causing a global increase in negative mental health states. Thus, we aimed to explore the relationship between fear of covid-19 and mental health via QoL (the first and the second lockdown in Italy, 2020).

Subject and methods

Through a quantitative cross-lagged path model research design, the study investigates people's fear of Covid-19, quality of life, and negative mental states in a population of 444 Italian adults (Mean=40.7; Standard Deviation=16.9; 80% women), in the period between the first and the second waves of the pandemic.

Results

Results show that participants' Covid-19 fear decreased between waves, contributing to a decrease in negative mental states (stress, anxiety and depression), thus improving the perceived quality of life. Furthermore, quality of life emerged as able to buffer the impact of fear of Covid on people's psychological distress in short and medium terms, confirming its central role in regulating mental distress.

Conclusion

The study suggests important guidelines for developing interventions to support the populations' well-being and mental health.

Relationship between spiritual well-being and Health-Related Quality of Life and some related factors in patients with AIDS/HIV

Objective

The study of effective factors on the quality of life (QoL), as an important criterion, in the outcome of new therapeutic and preventive strategies in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been considered by researchers. To study the relationship between spiritual well-being and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and some related factors in patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ([AIDS]/HIV).

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, 224 people were selected as the study population (112 were male and 112 were female) from patients with AIDS/HIV at the Behavioral Counseling Center of Shiraz with available sampling method. The research tool was Palutzian & Ellison well-being scale and QoL Questionnaire (SF-36). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation test.

Results

There was a significant direct relationship between physical function dimensions (P = 0.003). There was a significant relationship between general well-being, mental well-being, and total spiritual well-being (P < 0.001). There was a statistically significant relationship between the dimensions of QoL and spiritual well-being with some age section of the patients, and their occupation and education (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Spirituality has an impact on the QoL dimensions. Therefore, HIV positive people's quality of life could be improved by the possibility of the spiritual well-being promotion as a method of adaptation with the disease.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health and Quality of Life. An Exploratory Study During the First Outbreak in Italy

The coronavirus pandemic has been sweeping the world for more than a year. As physical health begins to stabilize in the western world, an increasing concern is related to the impact of the virus and its containment measures on people's mental health. This work aimed to explore the effect of demographic factors (age, gender, level of education, and socioeconomic status) and variables such as fear of COVID-19 and social support in predicting the quality of life and mental health of adults during the first wave of the pandemic in Italy. Through an online survey with 1087 Italian adults (M = 39.7, SD = 16.39; 74.4% women), gender and socioeconomic status emerged as crucial factors in determining differences regarding people's responses and reactions to the pandemic. In addition, the results highlighted the importance of perceived social support and a moderate fear of COVID-19 in predicting people's quality of life and mental health. The study suggests important guidelines for the development of interventions to support the population's well-being and mental health.

Factors associated with anxiety and quality of life of the Wuhan populace during the COVID‐19 pandemic

In December 2019, COVID-19 broke out in Wuhan, China, affecting the mental health and quality of life (QoL) of its inhabitants. This study aimed at investigating the factors associated with anxiety and QoL in the Wuhan populace during the COVID-19 pandemic. An online questionnaire survey was carried out during July 6-10, 2020. The questionnaire collected information on demography, anxiety, QoL, and social-environmental support. The main statistical methods included descriptive statistics, independent-samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and multivariate regression analysis. In total, 226 participants were recruited. The findings showed that females, elderly, middle-income, poor health status, shortage of medical supplies, and insufficient basic commodities were associated with anxiety significantly. Multiple regression analysis indicated that social-environmental support was significantly related to anxiety. Higher social-environmental support was significantly associated with a higher QoL. Our findings showed that the social-environmental support may reduce anxiety and improve the QoL for those living in an area heavily affected by the pandemic.

Health literacy among Malawian HIV-positive youth: a qualitative needs assessment and conceptualization

Despite growing evidence of the significance of health literacy in managing and coping with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV), it is not yet an integrated part of HIV/AIDS-related health promotion research and practice in Africa. This article contributes to addressing the gap in research on health literacy and HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa. We aimed to assess health literacy-related needs of young people living with HIV (YPLHIV) and adapt existing health literacy frameworks to the context of HIV/AIDS in Malawi. We used focus group discussions to collect data from a sample of the membership of the national association of YPLHIV. Twenty-four HIV-positive youth (18-29 years) participated in focus group discussions. Participants came from three regions of Malawi. Additionally, we conducted three in-depth interviews with key informants. We used a thematic framework approach to analyse data in MAXQDA. We contextualized definitions of four dimensions of health literacy: functional, interactive, critical and distributed health literacy, which we used as an a priori analytical framework. To further contextualize the framework, we revised it iteratively throughout the analysis process. We identified the need for comprehensive information about HIV and sexual reproductive health, skills to interact with healthcare providers and navigate the health system, and skills to appraise information from different sources, among others. The identified needs were translated into nine action recommendations for the national association of YPLHIV, and with relevance within the wider HIV sector in Malawi and beyond. We found that the dimensions in our analytical framework operate on the individual, system and public policy levels.

Health-Related Quality of Life Among Persons Living with HIV/AIDS in Jordan: An Exploratory Study

INTRODUCTION

Diagnosis of HIV/AIDS infection can have adverse effects on the individual and may affect health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Numerous studies have previously assessed the HRQoL of persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) globally, but not in Jordan. The aim of the current study is to examine HRQoL among PLWHA residing in Jordan and to evaluate the effect of socio-demographic and disease-related factors on HRQoL.

METHODOLOGY

An exploratory approach employing a cross-sectional design was applied. The study applied a semi-structured face-to-face interview followed by administration of self-reported questionnaire using the World Health Organization's Quality of Life HIV brief questionnaire (WHOQOL-HIV-BREF).

RESULTS

Results showed that unemployment, low income, non-disclosure status, single status (separated, divorced or widowed), and having comorbidities were connected with poor HRQoL.

CONCLUSION

PLWHA require more than just being provided with antiretroviral therapy to rebuild their lives.

Perceived social support, depression and their impact on quality of life of people living with HIV in India

Universal access to Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) has transformed HIV/AIDS into a chronic disease and issues like social support and Quality of life (QOL) have emerged as important components of care. Perceived social support influences QOL in People Living with HIV (PLHIV), though this has not been studied well in India. PLHIV were assessed for Social Support using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and QOL was assessed with the Medical Outcomes Study HIV Health Survey (MOS-HIV) questionnaire. The factors impacting social support and its effect of on QOL were analysed. Amongst the 109 study subjects, 62 (56.9%) were men, 47 (43.1%) were women, mean age was 35 ± 7.5 years, 85.3% had WHO stage 1 disease and 80 (73.4%) were receiving ART. Only 43.1% subjects perceived high overall social support. Social support (from family/friends/others) was associated positively with physical functioning (p = 0.001), social and cognitive functioning (p = 0.000) and significantly inversely associated with depression (p = 0.002). Higher perceived social support was seen to correlate with higher CD4 count (Peak, Nadir and Current; p < 0.05) and better adherence (p = 0.003). It is concluded that social support, including support from beyond family, have a significant impact on clinical endpoints and QOL in PLHIV.

Relationship Between Quality of Life and Social Support in Parents of Children with Congenital Anorectal Malformations in China

PURPOSE

This study aimed to explore the quality of life (QOL) and social support of parents of children with congenital anorectal malformation (ARM), and to examine the relationship between them.

DESIGN AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted at Anhui Provincial Children's Hospital of China from January to June of 2018. A total of 108 parents participated in this survey. QOL and social support were accessed using the short version of the World Health Organization's Quality of Life Instrument (WHOQOL-BREF) and the Social Support Rate Scale (SSRS), respectively. Analyses were performed with multivariate linear regression and canonical correlation.

RESULTS

The parents' scores in the physical, psychological, and environmental domains were lower than those in the general population in China. Gender, monthly income, combined malformation, objective support, subjective support and utilization of support were the major influencing factors of QOL. A canonical correlation analysis indicated social support was positively correlated with QOL, and subjective support, psychological domain had the largest standardized factor loading in social support and QOL.

CONCLUSIONS

The QOL of parents of ARM patients was not optimistic. More attention needs to be paid to increasing social support for the parents of ARM to enhance their QOL.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

For government, increasing funds and resources to invest in the establishment and improvement of the social support network is necessary. For doctors and nurses, providing better medical and psychological services to patients and their parents is essential.

Feasibility and Acceptability of an HIV/AIDS Self-Management Education Program for HIV-Positive Men Who Have Sex With Men in Thailand

This pilot study examined the feasibility and acceptability of the HIV/AIDS self-management education program-Thai (HASMEP-T) for HIV-positive Thai men who have sex with men (MSM). HASMEP-T is a group-based adaptation of the evidence-based intervention, HASMEP. Participants were 40 Thai MSM living with HIV aged 18 years or older, recruited from an HIV clinic housed in a hospital in Thailand. Results support the feasibility of recruitment, screening, eligibility, and retention methods. The majority of the participants reported that the intervention was acceptable and met their initial expectations. Furthermore, all recruited participants in the intervention group (n = 20) completed HASMEP-T. Overall, intervention group participants demonstrated significant increases in all aspects of HIV self-management (p < .05), as well as improvement in quality of life in the psychological domain (p < .05). Our findings provide preliminary support for the large-scale, randomized-controlled trial of the efficacy of HASMEPT to promote self-management behaviors among HIV-positive Thai MSM.

A WeChat-Based Self-Management Intervention for Community Middle-Aged and Elderly Adults with Hypertension in Guangzhou, China: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial

This study aimed to assess whether a WeChat-based self-management intervention would be effective for community middle-aged and elderly adults with hypertension in Guangzhou, China. We conducted a cluster-randomized control trial with a total of 464 participants (intervention, n = 186; control, n = 276) between March 2018 and May 2019. The self-management intervention lasted for 6 months, consisting of health education, health promotion, group chat, and blood pressure (BP) monitoring. All individuals in the baseline and follow-up surveys were assessed for BP and completed a hypertension knowledge questionnaire, self-efficacy scale, self-management scale, and social support scale. A total of 253 participants (intervention, n = 110; control, n = 143) completed the follow-up survey and were included in the analysis. The adjusted mean differences in the changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) between the intervention and control groups were -6.9 (95% Confidence Interval (CI) -11.2 to -2.6; p = 0.002) and -3.1 (95% CI -5.7 to -0.6; p = 0.016) mmHg, respectively. Individuals who participated in the intervention program had better BP monitoring, improved their hypertension self-management as well as parts of their disease knowledge and self-efficacy. The WeChat-based self-management intervention may be a feasible and efficient program to help Chinese community middle-aged and elderly hypertensive patients lower BP and improve self-management.

Psychosocial Factors Associated with Quality of Life in Young Men Who Have Sex with Men Living with HIV/AIDS in Zhejiang, China

OBJECTIVES

To explore the quality of life (QOL) status and related factors in young human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected men who have sex with men (MSM) aged 16 to 24 years in Zhejiang province.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 22 counties of Zhejiang province, and 395 subjects took part in our research. A t-test, one-way Analysis of variance (ANOVA), and multivariate stepwise linear regression analysis were used to investigate the factors associated with QOL in young HIV-infected MSM.

RESULTS

The total score on the QOL was 86.86 ± 14.01. The multivariate stepwise linear regression analysis revealed that self-efficacy and discrimination were associated with all domains on the QOL assessment, monthly income was associated with QOL for all domains except spirituality and consistent condom use during oral sex with men in the past three months was associated with QOL for all domains except the relationship domain. Those individuals within the group of young HIV-infected MSM who have higher self-efficacy, a higher monthly income, greater social support, safer sexual behaviors, a higher level of education, and a higher cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) count have a better QOL.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that to improve the QOL of this population, greater emphasis should be placed on improving social support, self-efficacy, and antiviral therapy adherence and on reducing discrimination, disease progression, and high-risk behaviors.

The mediating effects of functions of social support on HIV-related trauma and health-related quality of life for PLHIV in China

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of social support as a buffer between traumatic life events and HRQOL. We hypothesized that social support would mediate the effect of traumatic life events on HRQOL. A total of 2987 PLHIV participated in this study. The sample included 1876 (62.8%) males, and 1111 (37.2%) females. Data were collected using survey instruments measuring exposure to traumatic life events, functions of social support and HRQOL. The Structural Equation Model (SEM) produced a chi-square (χ² = 486.63, df = 32, p < .001) along with other goodness of fit indices such as CFI/TLI = .958/.941 and RMSEA = .069 (90%CI: .064, .074). Structural coefficients for traumatic life events, functions of social support, and HRQOL were statistically significant (≤.05). Crisis was the strongest predictor of traumatic life events, emotional support was the strongest predictor of functions of social support, and health distress was the strongest indicator of HRQOL. Traumatic life events had a significant direct effect on HRQOL. For PLHIV, experiencing a financial crisis associated with loss and/ or difficulty finding employment and enacted stigma were experienced as traumatic life events. Emotional support, described as having supportive interpersonal relationships, was identified as essential for HRQOL. Implications for interventions were discussed.

Individual and family level factors associated with physical and mental health-related quality of life among people living with HIV in rural China

Background

One of the major challenges faced by people living with HIV (PLH) is the compromised quality of life due to the negative impact of HIV on their health. HIV/AIDS control effort should go beyond laboratory and lay more emphasis on improving the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for PLH. The objective of this study is to evaluate the physical and mental HRQoL of PLH in rural China, and explore the relationship between HRQoL and individual- and family-level factors.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 522 PLH in Anhui, China. Participant’s sociodemographic characteristics, family status, and HIV-related factors were collected. Physical health summary score (PHS) and mental health summary score (MHS) of quality of life were measured. Multiple linear regressions were conducted to estimate the association of the individual- and family-level factors with MHS and PHS.

Results

Male were more likely to report a higher level of PHS and MHS than female (β = 0.123, P = 0.009; β = 0.150, P = 0.002). Age was significantly negatively associated with the PHS (β = − 0.232, P<0.001) when other variables were controlled. Family size remained negatively correlated with PHS (β = − 0.105, P = 0.021). Family annual income was significantly positively associated with PHS and MHS (β = 0.126, P = 0.003; β = 0.135, P = 0.002).

Conclusions

Future intervention should be carefully tailored to the specific needs of sub-populations (such as female and older PLH) considering their physical and mental HRQoL conditions. More attention and care should be provided to PLH with left-behind children in the family.

The relationship of social support, mental health, and health-related quality of life in human immunodeficiency virus-positive men who have sex with men: From the analysis of canonical correlation and structural equation model: A cross-sectional study

The objective of this study was to reveal the relationships of mental health, social support, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) as well as their dimensions in HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM).HIV-positive MSM were interviewed by a cross-sectional study design using the world Health Organization quality of life bref scale, social support rating scale, and self-rated anxiety and depression scales. Canonical correlation analysis and structural equation model (SEM) were utilized to analyze to the collected data.Three first pair of canonical variables that was statistically significant (P < .0001) and verified could account for the largest cumulative proportion were computed from canonical correlation analysis. The results showed, among the dimensions, depression and anxiety were negatively correlated with support utilization and physical health, while subjective support and support utilization were positively correlation with social relationship health. Structural equation model results showed that support utilization (0.632, T = 10.44), depression (0.816, T = 20.37), and environmental dimension (0.833, T = 38.47) had the largest standardized factor loading in social support, mental health, and HRQOL. The structural coefficient between social support and mental health was -0.433 (T = -5.88), between mental health and HRQOL was -0.592 (T = -10.33), between social support and HRQOL was 0.290 (T = 4.10), indicated social support not only exerted a direct influence, but also mediated mental health to have an indirect effect on HRQOL for HIV-positive MSM.Environmental dimension is the foremost factor of HRQOL for HIV-positive MSM. Alleviating anxiety symptoms maybe improve physical health, while promoting the support utilization is an effective measure of alleviating depression and improving social relationship health for this special group.

Weibo friends with benefits for people live with HIV/AIDS? The implications of Weibo use for enacted social support, perceived social support and health outcomes

With the increasing popularity of social media, many people who live with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) seek social support via Weibo in China. The question arises here as to whether PLWHA perceive higher levels of social support via Weibo than in offline relationships, whether perceived online social support (PSS-ON) is associated with enacted social support, and whether it is effective in predicting better health outcomes. Based on self-reported data from 432 Chinese PLWHA, the authors investigated perceived offline social support (PSS-OFF), PSS-ON, enacted social support, and health outcomes. The empirical results indicate that PSS-ON is significantly associated with employment status, CD4 cell counts, and PSS-OFF. PSS-ON is higher than PSS-OFF for PLWHA, and close Weibo friends are the main source of PSS-ON. Enacted receiving social support and giving social support are relevant, and they contribute as individual predictors of PSS-ON. PSS-ON and PSS-OFF are distinct constructs in predicting the subjective well-being of PLWHA, while PSS-ON is not related to adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and risky sexual behavior in this study. Limitations and future directions are discussed.

Integrating factors associated with hypertensive patients' self-management using structural equation modeling: a cross-sectional study in Guangdong, China

PURPOSE

Hypertension is considered a major public health issue worldwide because of its high frequency and concomitant risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Chronic-disease self-management has been proven to be cost-effective, but influencing factors and pathways remain complex and unclear. The purpose of this study was to integrate factors associated with hypertension self-management to provide a theoretical reference for community hypertension management.

METHODS

A total of 268 community-dwelling hypertensive patients were enrolled in a cross-sectional study conducted from July to September in 2017. A questionnaire on demographic-disease characteristics, disease knowledge, social support, self-efficacy, and self-management was completed by patients. Structural equation modeling was performed to verify multiple factors in self-management based on the self-efficacy theory.

RESULTS

The final model showed a good fit to sample data, ie, younger patients with lower CVD risk, shorter disease course, and less disease knowledge and social support predicted less self-efficacy, less hypertension self-management, and less controlled hypertension. Furthermore, social support was negatively correlated with age, CVD risk, and disease course and positively with disease knowledge.

CONCLUSION

Medication adherence is the lowest dimension in self-management, and self-efficacy is vital to consider in the development of self-management interventions. Self-management education and mutual-help groups may be potential solutions with the power of technology. Younger patients with lower CVD risk and shorter disease course are vulnerable and need more attention.

Evaluation of impact of social support and care on HIV-positive and AIDS individuals' quality of life: a nonrandomised community trial

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

Our study was conducted to further investigate the model of social support and care for People Living with HIV/AIDS(PLHA), to explore their role in People Living with AIDS's quality of life (QOL) as reference for improving nursing policies for AIDS.

BACKGROUND

Social support and care are the most important factors impacting the QOL of People Living with HIV/AIDS, but most studies conducted upon the influence of social support and QOL of People Living with HIV/AIDS are mainly based on cross-sectional design.

DESIGN

Our study was a nonrandomised controlled community intervention study.

METHODS

The participants diagnosed as People Living with HIV/AIDS at Beijing You An Hospital received a comprehensive social support care from December 2013 to December 2014. To evaluate the impact of social support and care model on People Living with HIV/AIDS, our study analysed the different dimension scores of social support scale and quality of life before and after the intervention. Correlation between the net benefit value of social support and that of QOL from various dimensions were analysed.

RESULTS

There were significant differences in the score of objective support and usage of support (all p = 0·02) for social support. Net values of objective support score and usage of support were 0·25 and 0·19, respectively, after intervention. There were significant differences in physiological function, role physical, general health, vitality, social function, mental health, health transition and total score of quality of life (all p < 0·05). The canonical correlation analysis of net values of social support and QOL indicated that the first and second canonical correlation were statistically significant, with correlation coefficients of 0·53 (p = 0·00) and 0·21 (p = 0·04).

CONCLUSION

Social support and care intervention model can effectively improve perceived subjective feeling on social support and QOL condition for People Living with HIV/AIDS. And strategies to improve social support and care intervention programmes are strongly encouraged.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

The method is simple and cost-effective and could be a way to improve the quality of life condition for People Living with HIV/AIDS.

Social networks of older adults living with HIV in Finland

The aim of this study was to explore the social networks of older adults living with HIV. Interviews were conducted with nine individuals aged 50 or older living with HIV in Helsinki, Finland. Analysis of transcripts was analysed by inductive qualitative content analysis. Results indicated that these participants' networks tended to be large, including those both aware and unaware of the participants' health status. Analysis identified three main themes: large multifaceted social networks, importance of a support group, and downsizing of social networks. Support received appeared to be of great importance in coping with their health condition, especially since the time of diagnosis. Friends and family were the primary source of informal support. The majority of participants relied mostly on friends, some of whom were HIV-positive. Formal support came primarily from the HIV organisation's support group. In this study group, non-disclosure did not impact participants' well-being. In years to come, social networks of older adults living with HIV may shrink due to personal reasons other than HIV-disclosure. What is of primary importance is that healthcare professionals become knowledgeable about psychosocial issues of older adults living with HIV, identifying latent problems and developing adequate interventions in the early stages of the disease; this would help prevent social isolation and foster successful ageing with HIV.