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.