Social Support among People Living with HIV/ AIDS (PLHA) in Kannur District, India

Abstract

Introduction: The HIV/ AIDS epidemic is still a threat to the health andwell-being of people globally. It is important to understand protectivefactors like social support among People Living with HIV/ AIDS (PLHA).Aim: The aim of the study was to study the social support and the factorsinfluencing social support among People Living with HIV/ AIDS (PLHA).Method: The descriptive study design was used. Among the total750 people registered in the district, the researcher selected 210samples using simple random sampling method. The researcher useda standardised scale – the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived SocialSupport. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and tests.Results: While analysing the perceived social support of the respondents,nearly half (48.1%) of the respondents were found to have a moderatelevel of social support. The study also depicted that social support wasinfluenced by gender, marital status, and income of PLHA.Conclusion: The study showed that PLHAs in the district were gettingsignificant social support. Gender, marital status and income wereinfluencing the social support of PLHAs. How to cite this article:Sobhit VK, Solomon MD. Social Support amongPeople Living with HIV/ AIDS (PLHA) in KannurDistrict, India. Chettinad Health City Med J.2023;12(3):92-96. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/2278.2044.202357