Social Support as a Key Protective Factor against Depression in HIV-Infected Patients: Report from large HIV clinics in Hanoi, Vietnam

Sci Rep. 2017 Nov 14;7(1):15489. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-15768-w.

Abstract

Depression is the most common mental health issue among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). This study explored how different types and sources of social support are associated with depression among HIV-infected patients in Vietnam. We carried out a cross-sectional survey on 1,503 HIV-infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy at two HIV clinics in Hanoi in 2016. Depression was prevalent in 26.2% of participants. Higher score of social support, especially emotional/informational support and positive social interaction, showed significant association with lower depression rate. Although family was primary source of all types of social support, receiving emotional/informational support not only from family but also from outside of family correlated with a lower proportion of depression. In countries with constrained social resources and/or with family-oriented social structures, as in Vietnam, expanding social networks between HIV populations and society is a potentially important option for reducing depression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Ambulatory Care Facilities
  • Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cohort Studies
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Depression / epidemiology
  • Depression / prevention & control*
  • Depression / psychology
  • Family / psychology
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy
  • HIV Infections / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pilot Projects
  • Prevalence
  • Quality of Life
  • Self Report / statistics & numerical data
  • Social Networking*
  • Social Support*
  • Vietnam / epidemiology

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents