The Moderating Role of HIV Stigma on the Relationship between Perceived Social Support and Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence Self-Efficacy among Adult PLHIV in South Africa

Abstract

Background People living with human immune deficiency virus (PLHIV) grapple with distinct challenges, including HIV stigma which affects their antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence self-efficacy. This study investigates the interaction of HIV stigma and perceived social support on ART adherence self-efficacy among adult PLHIV in South Africa. Methods This study utilized a cross-sectional design that involved 201 participants selected using time location sampling at a tertiary health facility in Durban. Results HIV stigma was significantly and negatively associated with self-efficacy (β = −7.860, t = −4.654, p = .001), with variations across different stigma levels (β = −5.844, t = −4.003, p = .001). Social support was significantly and positively associated with self-efficacy at lower HIV stigma levels (β = 7.440, t = 3.887, p = .001), in contrast to higher levels (β = −2.825, t = 1.400, p = .163). Conclusion Social support significantly influences ART adherence self-efficacy, particularly at lower levels of HIV stigma, but the effect of support weakens as stigma intensifies.