Abstract:
The study examined the perceived social support and its effects on quality of life
among people living with HIV/AIDS in Kumasi Metropolis. The descriptive
cross-sectional survey design was adopted for the study. Out of a population of
1,027 People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), 320 were selected through the
purposive sampling technique. The SF-36 health survey questionnaire and
multidimensional perceived social support questionnaire were used to collect the
required data. Data gathered were analysed with the use of both descriptive
statistics (frequency, percentages, mean and standard deviation) and inferential
statistics (independent sample t-test, Pearson Product Moment Correlation, oneway
ANOVA, and linear multiple regression). The study found out that the male
PLWHA had a higher quality of life than that of the female PLWHA. The
difference in the quality of life was as a result of energy and social functioning
dimension of quality of life. In addition, all the three dimensions of social support
had a weak relationship with quality of life. However, friends support and family
support had a positive relationship with quality of life. Significant others support
had a negative relationship with quality of life. Further, there was a statistical
significant difference in the quality of life in relation to the age groups of the
PLWHA. It was discovered that those in the age groups of 32-38 years enjoyed a
higher quality of life as compared to those in the age group of 53-59 years.
Finally, friends support was the only social support system which was found to
positively influence quality of life. The influence of family support and
significant others were not significant. The Ministry of health in collaboration
with other important educational agencies should intensify sex education to
students, especially the females and community members in order to strengthen
awareness of HIV/AIDS.
