Social support among HIV/AIDS patients in Henan province

ObjectiveTo investigate current status of social support among human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)/AIDS patients in high AIDS prevalence areas of Henan province and to analyze its influence factors for further policy development. MethodsGeneral condition questionnaire and Social Support Rating Scale(SSRS)were used to survey 146 HIV/AIDS patients. ResultsThe scores of the all domains and overall social support were significantly lower than the national norm.AIDS patients had a higher score than HIV patients(the score of AIDS patients:32.93±5.74,the score of HIV patients:35.90±7.27,t=-3.153,P=0.001).Being single,divorced or widowed(t=-3.516,P=0.002)and with high depression score(t=-4.184,P=0.001)were risk factors of less social support,while having no discrimination(t=4.279,P=0.000),with familial annual income high than 10 000 RMB yuan(t=4.918,P=0.000),and with good physical condition were protective factors of social support. ConclusionHIV/AIDS patients had poor social support than average people.Marital status,disease stage,depression status,discrimination status,family income,and physical condition are influence factors of social support.