Interaction of social support and depressive symptoms on antiretroviral therapy adherence among people living with HIV in South Africa.

BACKGROUND

Depression consistently emerges as a significant predictor of poor antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence among adult people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV). However, a gap exists regarding how social support and depressive symptoms can interact to influence ART adherence among adult PLHIV in South Africa (SA).

AIM

To investigate the interaction between social support and depressive symptoms on ART adherence among adult PLHIV.

SETTING

A tertiary hospital in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal province of SA.

METHODS

Utilising a quantitative cross-sectional research design along with time location sampling technique (TLS); the study recruited 201 adult patients enrolled in an ART programme.

RESULTS

The results indicated that depressive symptoms were significantly associated with ART adherence with and without the interaction (B = -0.105; odds ratios [OR] 0.901; 95% confidence intervals [CI] = 0.827, 0.981; = 0.016), while social support was not significantly associated with ART adherence (B = 0.007; OR 1.007; 95%CI = 0.989, 1.025; = 0.475). However, a statistically significant interaction was found between social support and depressive symptoms (B = -0.006; OR 0.994; 95%CI = 0.989, 1.000; = 0.037) on ART adherence.

CONCLUSION

Based on the results, depressive symptoms significantly influenced ART adherence. However, social support did not buffer the adverse effects of clinical depression associated with poor ART adherence.

CONTRIBUTION

This study provides an evidence-based approach to address gaps in the mental health and social well-being of PLHIV in the context of ART adherence.