HIV, Social Networks, and Loneliness among Older Adults in Uganda.

Journal: AIDS and behavior

Volume: 28

Issue: 2

Year of Publication: 2024

Affiliated Institutions:  Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Mongan Institute, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. lquach@mgh.harvard.edu. Centre for Aging and Serious Illness, Mongan Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Mongan Institute, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri at St. Louis, St. Louis, USA. Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK. Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda. Department of Psychiatry, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University School of Medicine, Kampala, Uganda. Department of Health Sciences, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA. Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine and Indiana University Center for Aging Research, Regenstreif Institute, Inc., Indianapolis, IN, USA. Kabwohe Clinical Research Center, Kabwohe, Uganda.

Abstract summary 

Loneliness among older adults has been identified as a major public health problem. Yet little is known about loneliness, or the potential role of social networks in explaining loneliness, among older people with HIV (PWH) in sub-Saharan Africa, where 70% of PWH reside. To explore this issue, we analyzed data from 599 participants enrolled in the Quality of Life and Ageing with HIV in Rural Uganda study, including older adults with HIV in ambulatory care and a comparator group of people without HIV of similar age and gender. The 3-item UCLA Loneliness Scale was used to measure loneliness, and HIV status was the primary explanatory variable. The study found no statistically significant correlation between loneliness and HIV status. However, individuals with HIV had smaller households, less physical and financial support, and were less socially integrated compared to those without HIV. In multivariable logistic regressions, loneliness was more likely among individuals who lived alone (aOR:3.38, 95% CI:1.47-7.76) and less likely among those who were married (aOR:0.34, 95% CI:0.22-0.53) and had a higher level of social integration (aOR:0.86, 95% CI: 0.79-0.92). Despite having smaller social networks and less support, older adults with HIV had similar levels of loneliness as those without HIV, which may be attributed to resiliency and access to HIV-related health services among individuals with HIV. Nonetheless, further research is necessary to better understand the mechanisms involved.

Authors & Co-authors:  Quach Lien T LT Ritchie Christine S CS Reynolds Zahra Z Paul Robert R Seeley Janet J Tong Yao Y Hoeppner Susanne S Okello Samson S Nakasujja Noeline N Olivieri-Mui Brianne B Saylor Deanna D Greene Meredith M Asiimwe Stephen S Tindimwebwa Edna E Atwiine Flavia F Sentongo Ruth R Siedner Mark J MJ Tsai Alexander C AC

Study Outcome 

Source Link: Visit source

Statistics
Citations :  WHO. HIV/AIDS 2020. https://www.who.int/health-topics/hiv-aids#tab=tab_1. WHO. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/health-topics/hiv-aids#tab=tab_1.
Authors :  18
Identifiers
Doi : 10.1007/s10461-023-04258-y
SSN : 1573-3254
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
Humans
Other Terms
HIV;Loneliness;Older Adults;Social Integration;Social Networks;Uganda
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Country of Study
Uganda
Publication Country
United States