Effect of social viability intervention onthe social support of people living with HIV/AIDS at a tertiary care hospital

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a global epidemic, a major challenge as a health care problem of modern times. As the survival of life increases from the time of an HIV-positive diagnosis to death has been achieved, there is now growing concern for the quality of the life that has been extended.

To assess the effectiveness of Social viability intervention on social support of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and its association between social support and quality of life (QOL) was seen.

A pre-experimental-one group pre-test post-test time series design was used in the study. The sample comprised of PLWHA who were sero positive for last six months. A focus group discussion was conducted to assess the needs and extensive review was done for making the intervention. The tools identified to assess the social support and quality of life was Medical Outcome Study Social Support Survey and WHOQOL-BREF HIV. The intervention was administered on one to one basis. The post test-1 (after one month) and post test 2(after three months)was taken, and tools for assessing social support and quality of life were administered respectively. Data was analyzed using SPSS 17.

Most of the PLWHA used social support as tangible support and affectionate support, followed by emotional support and least used support was positive social interaction. There was positive significant relationship between all the domains of QOL and of all four domains of social support. There was the significant improvement in the affectionate support and positive social interaction after administration of the intervention.

It can be concluded that there was a significant improvement in social support domains after the administration of the intervention.