Social Capital and Quality of Life Among People Living With HIV/AIDS in Southeast China

Asia Pac J Public Health. 2016 May;28(4):325-35. doi: 10.1177/1010539516641490. Epub 2016 Apr 3.

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 261 people living with HIV (PLWH) in Southeast China. A social capital questionnaire was used to measure social capital dimensions (trust, social connection, and social participation). A Chinese version of the Medical Outcomes Study HIV Health Survey (MOS-HIV) was used to assess Quality of Life (QoL); Physical Health Summary Scores (PHS) and Mental Health Summary Scores (MHS) were calculated. Multiple regression assessed whether social capital and its dimensions were associated with PHS and MHS. After controlling for sociodemographics and HIV-related factors, lower PHS scores were found among participants with low overall social capital (P < .01) and low trust (P < .001). Lower MHS scores were found among participants with low overall social capital (P < .001), low trust (P < .001) and low social connection (P < .01). Our findings identify potential intervention targets to improve QoL among PLWH in Southeast China, including the promotion of social capital.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS; MOS-HIV; Southeast China; quality of life; social capital.

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / epidemiology
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / psychology
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • China / epidemiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology*
  • HIV Infections / psychology*
  • Health Status
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Health
  • Middle Aged
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Quality of Life*
  • Social Capital*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Trust
  • Young Adult