Psychological distress and social support on quality of life of nurses of HIV/AIDS in the Cape Coast Metropolis

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to ascertain the relationship psychological distress and social support have on the quality of life of nurses who take care of HIV/AIDS patients in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana. One hundred and five (105) respondents were recruited by purpose and census to participate. Depression, Anxiety and Stress variables were screened with DASS-21. Social Support was measured with the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support while Quality of Life was also measured using WHOQOL-Bref. Seventy-four point three per cent (74.3%) of the respondents were females. Age ranged from 18 – 50, 81 – 25 recorded the highest frequency (57.1%). Seventy-seven point one per cent (77.1%) were never married, and forty-two point nine per cent (42.9%) were not satisfied with their income level. Anxiety and depression were found to have negative correlation with quality of life with anxiety: r=-0.253*, p<0.05, and depression: r=-0.260*, p<0.05 significant values. Stress was however found to have no significant relationship with quality of life (r=-0.180, p>0.05) Social support was found to have positive correlation with quality of life (r=0.503*, p<0.05). Demographic variables were found to have no relationship with quality of life (r=0.33, 0.70, 0.77, 0.67 and 0.56, p>0.05 for gender, age, marital status, type of nursing and income level satisfaction respectively). Finally, social support moderated the relationship between psychological distress and quality of life; change in R2=3.4% (0.034x100; p<0.05). It is therefore suggested to policy makers to strengthen the social support of nurses caring for PLWHA. Implications for clinical practice and further studies are discussed.