Psychological distress, coping strategies and social support among HIV positive patients in Calabar, Nigeria

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection substantially impacts psychological and emotional wellbeing via various mechanisms. The role of coping strategies and social support in the mental health of People Living with HIV (PLWH) is under-investigated. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression and their relationship with coping and social support among PLWH. This cross-sectional study involved 251 patients selected using systematic sampling from the HIV Clinic of the General Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria. A sociodemographic questionnaire was administered along with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale to measure anxiety and depression. Participants were also administered the 32-item Coping Strategies Inventory and the Oslo Social Support Scale to measure coping strategies and social support, respectively. The respondents were mostly female (72.5%) and had a mean age of 35.3 [SD=10.9]. The prevalence of anxiety and depression was 27.1% and 19.5%, respectively. Both anxiety and depression had significant negative associations with problem-focused engagement, emotion-focused engagement and problem-focused disengagement, and significant positive associations with emotion-focused disengagement (p<0.01). Social support was poor and had a significant negative association with anxiety, significant positive associations with problem-focused engagement, emotion-focused engagement and problem-focused disengagement, and significant negative associations with emotion- focused disengagement (p<0.01). Our study highlights the importance of coping strategies and social support among PLWH. Based on findings, adaptive coping and social support protect PLWH from deterioration in their mental health. In addition, PLWH with good social support might cope better with the diagnosis.