Associations of Unmet Food and Housing Needs with Mental Health and Overall Perceived Health Among Women with HIV: Is There a Moderating Effect of Social Support?

Abstract

Background: Food and housing insecurity have been identified as modifiable risks for poor mental health and perceived self-rated health among people with HIV. This study examined the associations of food and housing insecurity with perceived overall health, depression and anxiety symptoms, and the potential moderating effect of social support.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 561 low-income women with HIV (WHIV) in the Miami-Dade County Ryan White Part A Program. Data were collected from June 2021 to March 2022. Food and housing insecurity were categorized into three groups: no food/housing insecurity, any food/housing insecurity, and concurrent food/housing insecurity. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed for each outcome variable.

Results: Compared to no food/housing insecurity, significant depressive symptoms were associated with any food/housing insecurity (aOR: 2.99, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.81-4.91) and concurrent food/housing insecurity (aOR: 17.11, 95% CI: 7.83-37.38). Significant anxiety symptoms were associated with any food/housing insecurity (aOR: 3.50, 95% CI: 1.68-7.30) and concurrent food/housing insecurity (aOR: 15.97, 95% CI: 6.92-36.87). Although social support was significantly related to depressive and anxiety symptoms, it did not moderate the relationship between these unmet needs and any of the health outcomes.

Conclusion: Our findings revealed significant associations between unmet food and housing needs, poor social support, and significant depressive and anxiety symptoms among WHIV. Continuous, multifaceted support is essential to mitigate the negative impact of unmet food and housing needs and ensure the physical and mental well-being of WHIV.