Browsing by Author "Nel, Adriaan"

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    Perceived social support, symptoms of common mental disorders and adherence levels of patients receiving antiretroviral treatment
    (Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2011-12) Nel, Adriaan; Kagee, S. A.; Swart, Hermann; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Psychology.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Optimal adherence to antiretroviral medication is essential for effective treatment of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and ensuring high levels of adherence has proven to be a major challenge in the fight against HIV. As funding for antiretroviral treatment (ART) programs is limited, ensuring optimal adherence is critical, not only to decrease patient mortality and improve quality of life, but also to make these ART programs financially sustainable. In recent years a small but growing body of literature on the associations between social support, common mental disorders and adherence to ART has emerged. This thesis builds on the burgeoning body of studies by seeking to test the associations between level of perceived social support, symptoms of common mental disorders, and adherence to ART among a South African sample of ART users. The study investigated a convenience sample of 101 patients living with HIV, and receiving ART from a state funded HIV clinic in the Overberg region of the Western Cape, South Africa. A cross-sectional survey design was used to gather self-report data on the level of perceived social support, severity of symptoms of common mental disorders, and adherence to ART. Bivariate correlations demonstrated significant negative associations between perceived social support and severity of symptoms of common mental disorders, specifically symptoms of depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Biserial correlations and logistic regression analysis indicated an inverse relationship between severity of symptoms of depression and self-reported ART adherence. However, when symptoms of anxiety and PTSD were included as predictors, the association between symptoms of depression and self-reported ART adherence was no longer significant. Furthermore, no significant relationships were found between self-reported ART adherence and symptoms of anxiety and PTSD. Follow-up research is recommended to gain a better understanding of these relationships. A longitudinal experimental research design is recommended to determine the direction of causality with regard to the association between symptoms of depression and adherence to ART.