Perceived social support and its effects on quality of Life among people living with Hiv/Aids in Kumasi Metropolis

Abstract

The study examined the perceived social support and its effects on quality of life among people living with HIV/AIDS in Kumasi Metropolis. The descriptive cross-sectional survey design was adopted for the study. Out of a population of 1,027 People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), 320 were selected through the purposive sampling technique. The SF-36 health survey questionnaire and multidimensional perceived social support questionnaire were used to collect the required data. Data gathered were analysed with the use of both descriptive statistics (frequency, percentages, mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (independent sample t-test, Pearson Product Moment Correlation, oneway ANOVA, and linear multiple regression). The study found out that the male PLWHA had a higher quality of life than that of the female PLWHA. The difference in the quality of life was as a result of energy and social functioning dimension of quality of life. In addition, all the three dimensions of social support had a weak relationship with quality of life. However, friends support and family support had a positive relationship with quality of life. Significant others support had a negative relationship with quality of life. Further, there was a statistical significant difference in the quality of life in relation to the age groups of the PLWHA. It was discovered that those in the age groups of 32-38 years enjoyed a higher quality of life as compared to those in the age group of 53-59 years. Finally, friends support was the only social support system which was found to positively influence quality of life. The influence of family support and significant others were not significant. The Ministry of health in collaboration with other important educational agencies should intensify sex education to students, especially the females and community members in order to strengthen awareness of HIV/AIDS.