title: Social support and support groups among people with HIV/AIDS in Ghana.
abstract: HIV/AIDS, a chronic burden in Ghana, poses social and health outcome concerns to those infected. Examining the Medical Outcome Study Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS) instrument among 300 Ghanaians from a cross-sectional design, Principal Component Analysis yielded four factors (positive interaction, trust building, information giving, and essential support), which accounted for 85.73% of the total variance in the MOS-SSS. A logistic regression analysis showed that essential support was the strongest predictor of the length of time an individual stayed in the support group, whereas positive interaction indicated negative association. The study's implications for policy, research, and practice were discussed.
authors.affiliation: a The Ethelyn R. Strong School of Social Work , Norfolk State University , Norfolk , Virginia, USA.
authors.forename: Tina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Abrefa-Gyan
authors.affiliation: a The Ethelyn R. Strong School of Social Work , Norfolk State University , Norfolk , Virginia, USA.
authors.forename: Liyun
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: a The Ethelyn R. Strong School of Social Work , Norfolk State University , Norfolk , Virginia, USA.
authors.forename: Marilyn W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Lewis
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana / Q000453:epidemiology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012944:Social Support; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Essential social support; Ghana; HIV/AIDS; factor analysis; length of stay in support groups