title: Perceived stigma, medical social support and quality of life among people living with HIV/AIDS in Hunan, China.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study aimed at examining the relationships among perceived stigma, social support, and quality of life (QOL) in people living with HIV (PLWH).
  
  
  METHODS
  We recruited 190 participants meeting the inclusion criteria from two HIV clinics in Hunan, China. HIV-related Stigma Scale, the Chinese Version of the Medical Outcomes Study - Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS-C), and the Medical Outcomes Study-HIV (MOS-HIV) were used to measure the perceived stigma, social support and QOL in PLWH.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean scores of the perceived stigma, social support, and QOL were 104.32, 53.63, and 61.97 respectively, which were in moderate range. Stepwise multivariate regression analysis showed (R(2)=.49, p<.01) a low score of internalized stigma and family stigma, a high score of tangible support for non-drug use and antiretroviral treatment, and high CD4 count predicted better QOL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Perceived stigma and social support are correlated with the QOL in PLWH. Interventions designed to decrease perceived stigma and strengthen social support from family are necessary to improve the QOL in PLWH.
authors.affiliation: Guangdong General Hospital, 510080, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Xiaohua
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing of Central South University, 410013, Changsha, China. Electronic address: cjia65215@163.com.
authors.forename: Jia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Guangdong General Hospital, 510080, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Huigen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: The First Hospital of Li Wan, 510370, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Ziping
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing of Central South University, 410013, Changsha, China.
authors.forename: Xianhong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing of Central South University, 410013, Changsha, China.
authors.forename: Honghong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012944:Social Support; D013240:Stereotyping; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: China; HIV; Medical social support; Perceived stigma; Quality of life