TITLE:
Factors Associated with Attendance and Non-Attendance of Support Groups among HIV Positive Adults Attending an Antiretroviral Community Clinic at Ekurhuleni District, South Africa
AUTHORS:
Sphiwe Madiba, Olga Kekana
KEYWORDS:
South Africa; Disclosure, PLWHI; Support Groups; Participation; Barriers; ART
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of AIDS,
Vol.3 No.2,
June
5,
2013
ABSTRACT: Health care facilities providing
antiretroviral treatment (ART) to HIV positive people have seen a decline in
the uptake and use of HIV support groups. A cross sectional survey was
conducted to 1)
determine the characteristics of HIV positive people who have and who have not
attended support groups; 2) determine
factors associated with attendance of support groups; and 3) investigate perceived barriers to
participate in support groups among HIV positive adults attending an ART clinic in Gauteng, South
Africa. The total samples included 248 HIV positive adults and the highest proportion were females (n = 156, 62.9%). The mean age of the
participants was 34.2 years, (range 18 to 56 years). Almost two thirds (n = 144, 58.1%) had never attended
support groups. Participants who attended support groups were more likely to be
older than non-attenders (OR = 1.04, CI: 1.01 - 1.07), more likely to be taking ART
medication (OR = 1.64, CI: 1.00 - 2.65) and more likely to have known of
their HIV diagnosis for a longer time (OR = 2.20, CI: 1.42 - 3.40). Employed participants were less
likely to attend support groups than unemployed participants (OR = 0.47, CI: 0.27 - 0.80). Concerns for privacy and
confidentiality in support groups, and fear of stigma and discrimination were
the key barriers to participate in support groups. Participants also perceived
support groups as a service for people who could not cope with their HIV
diagnosis. Health care providers who plan to start support groups should take
into consideration issues of support group size, confidentiality, and timing
for support group meetings. It is imperative that education on the benefits of
HIV support groups forms a primary component of routine counselling for PLWHI.