Perceived Social Support and Associated Factors Among Adults Living with HIV/AIDS Attending ART Clinic at Public Hospitals in Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia 2021

BACKGROUND: HIV/AIDS remains one of the world’s serious public health challenges. Patients with limited support from their family and community often experience social damage, poor adherence, compliance and are prone to additional psychosocial problems. This study aimed to assess the level of perceived social support and factors among adults living with HIV/AIDS. METHODS: Facility-based mixed study (sequential explanatory) design was conducted among 423 adults living with HIV/AIDS attending chronic care follow-up at public hospitals in Gamo zone, southern Ethiopia. Respondents were selected by systematic sampling technique. The bivariable and multivariable ordinal logistic regression was used to determine associated factors. All assumptions applied to ordinal logistic regression including multicollinearity, proportional odds, model fitness and pseudo R(2) were checked. Level of significance was declared at p-values <0.05 and 95% CI. RESULTS: Proportion of perceived social support of participants was 128 (30.7%), 197 (47.2%) and 92 (22.1%) with low, moderate and high levels of perceived social support, respectively. Females [(APOR = 2.42, 95% CI:(1.63–3.58), P < 0.001)], no formal education [(AOR = 0.49, 95% CI: (0.30–0.789), P = 0.004)], fair adherence [(APOR = 2.07, 95% CI: (1.17–3.49), P = 0.006)], no comprehensive knowledge about HIV [(APOR = 0.40, 95% CI: (0.26–0.62), P < 0.001)], and no disclosure status [(APOR = 0.64, 95% CI: (0.43–0.95), P = 0.028] were significantly associated with perceived social support. Qualitative findings revealed that disclosure and adherences involving income generation activities are beneficial to perceived social support. CONCLUSION: This study showed that one from three of the participants had low perceived social support. Low perceived social support was associated with adherence, disclosure status of individual, educational status and knowledge about HIV/AIDS. Family, friends, health care providers and significant others should provide necessary support and inform people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) about social support.