Perceived Social Support as a Predictor of General Health in HIV+ Patients: Moderating Role of Gender

Abstract

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) affects the functioning of the human immune system (HIS). Objectives: To evaluate the predictive role of social support in general health among HIV+ patients, and the moderating role of gender between social support and general health. Methods: Cross-sectional study was carried out at the Jinnah Hospital Lahore, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Association of people living with HIV and AIDS Islamabad, and New Light AIDS control program (NGO) Rawalpindi from February 2019 to March 2020. Berlin Social Support Scale and General Health Questionnaire were used to assess perceived social support and general health among HIV patients. Results: Social support significantly predicted general health components (p < .001), and significant moderating effect of gender (β= -.32, t = 2.49, p<.05) was found between social support and general health among HIV patients. Conclusions: Social support emerged as a protective factor of general health in HIV+ patients in Pakistan that helped them to manage stress and fight with their illness. The high level of social support system tends to decrease general health problems among HIV + patients; however relationship between perceived social support and general health was stronger among women as compared to men.