Social Support and Adherence: Differences Among Clients in an AIDS Day Health Care Program

Abstract

Challenges in care management threaten health outcomes in persons living with HIV (PLWH), who also have other medical and psychiatric diagnoses, substance use problems, or adjustment issues (comorbid PLWH). Integrated primary care programs have been developed to address multiple care needs in comorbid PLWH. The effectiveness of these models has not been shown empirically, in part because of multidisciplinary approaches to care. Adherence and its relationship to social support are key factors in favorable outcomes in HIV. The authors measured social support and adherence among clients in AIDS day health care, an integrated primary care program for comorbid PLWH. The level of social support among AIDS day health care clients who were adherent to their antiretroviral therapy was reported to be significantly higher than social support among those who were nonadherent. Implications of the differences in social support and adherence in the population are explored and discussed. Implications for nursing practice and future research are also addressed.

Effect of Social Support on Quality of Life, CD4+ T-cell Count and Viral Load of People Living With HIV/AIDS

“…Male patients were predominant in the sample, which is consistent with other studies [5,13]. Most patients self-reported as being of mixed race, followed by whites.…”

“…Previous studies suggested that social support can be an important factor for influencing well-being and quality of life (QOL) [3], mental health [4] and adherence to HAART [5].…”

Efeito do suporte social na vida de adultos com HIV/AIDS Effect of social support in the lives of adults with HIV/AIDS

“…40 As the evidence levels, 8 there was the following distribution: an article level II, 31 an article level IV 11 articles level VI. 1,[9][10][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40] It was found that most of the findings were derived from cross-sectional and descriptive studies, occurring direct observation of a planned number of people with HIV/ AIDS in a lifetime opportunity, which prevents comparisons of long-term sample characteristics.…”

“…Adherence to ART shown higher in patients with adequate social support, especially those who have support from family members. 35,40 On the other hand, due to the stigma of the disease and troubled relationships negatively influence adherence to ART. [32][33] It is considered adherence to ART as the greatest determinant of therapeutic success, as there is significant influence on the clinical and biological conditions of PLHIV.…”

“…35 Social support, especially from the children and other family members, facilitates the accession of women to ART. The main barriers to adherence to ART are stigma and turbulent romantic relationships.…”