The correlation of social support and family support with HIV-related stigma and depression in people living with HIV in Vietnam

BackgroundHIV-related stigma and symptoms of depression (SOD) in people living with HIV (PLWH) remain public health challenges in many countries. This study determined the levels of support PLWH received from family and community and their impact on HIV-related stigma and SOD.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted with PLWH at four outpatient clinics in four districts in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews. Social support and family support were measured using the Health Outcomes Research Social Support Survey and the Family Support Scale. HIV-related stigma was measured by the HIV Stigma Scale. SOD were identified using the Center for Research in Epidemiology-Depression scale.ResultsAmong 777 PLWH in the data analysis, the level of family support reported by PLWH was high with an overall family support score of 28.0 (SD = 5.6), ranging from 7 to 30. The mean overall social support score was 2.7 (SD = 0.9), ranging from 1 to 5. For HIV-related stigma, the overall score was 32.9 (SD = 6.6), ranging from 14 to 56. The overall depression score was 15.6 (SD = 12.7), ranging from 0 to 57. There were statistically significant negative correlations between all types of family support and social support and all types of HIV-related stigma and SOD.ConclusionsAlthough the prevalence of HIV-related stigma and SOD remains common, our study showed that social support and family support are beneficial to PLWH. Therefore, developing community support projects combined with counseling and encouraging support from the families of PLWH is essential to help them overcome challenges.