Social Support Experiences of Patients with TB and HIV Co-infection Attending Tertiary Hospitals in Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Co-infection of Tuberculosis (TB) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) remains a huge public health challenge in Nigeria with affected persons typically suffering great emotional, economic and health-related difficulties. Social support is of critical importance in boosting quality of life and encouraging positive health outcomes in patients with TB/HIV co-infection. The study investigated the social support experiences of patients with TB and HIV co-infection attending tertiary institutions in Imo State, Nigeria. The study was led by five research questions and five hypotheses. The research design was a cross sectional descriptive, and correlational. The
investigation took place at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Owerri and Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu. A total of 344 TB/HIV co-infected patients were recruited by Consecutive Sampling technique. Data were collected using a standardised and validated questionnaire with the Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient of 0.88. Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) and Bivariable logistic regression were utilised for data analysis at 0.05 level of significance. Results indicated
that family members were the major source of social support, with 47.4% of respondents indicating they received regular financial support from relatives. Respondents also received informational and emotional support from health care providers and support organisations, with varying levels of help reported. More respondents (40.7%) experienced stigma and discrimination from healthcare workers. The study also revealed that social support was linked to increased treatment adherence and improved health outcomes. Most of the respondents (84.9%) reported that their health status had improved compared to the period of first diagnosis while 75.0%
reported CD4 counts over 200 cells/mm3 while on treatment. Informal interview with respondents, revealed that the financial assistance offered to them in the TB clinics encouraged regular TB clinic attendance. The study concluded that social support is a factor in TB/HIV co-infection management. There is therefore need to strengthen family, community and institutional support systems to address stigma and discrimination, that will eventually improve treatment outcomes for the patients.