FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF ADULT PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV IN KAZAKHSTAN

Abstract

Abstract Objectives The purpose of the current study was to investigate the association of a range of demographic, physical and psychosocial factors with positive mental health and mental illnesses (depression and anxiety), in adults living with HIV in Kazakhstan. Methods To conduct the current cross-sectional study, the Qualtrics online survey platform was utilized. We collected date from January to February 2024. The study included 170 individuals (18 years and older) living with HIV in Kazakhstan who agreed to participate by signing electronic informed consent. The online survey consisted of overall 48 questions and four parts: (1) Socio-demographic information ; (2) General health information, (3) Mental health , and (4) HIV related stigma. Results Only 33.53% of adults living with HIV are flourishing and have no mental illness. People in flourishing without mental illness group receive more social support. People who rated their physical functioning as mostly able and complete were least likely to fall into the flourishing with mental illness group. People who see themselves as not flourishing or languishing in life, can be more at risk for depression and anxiety due to lack of flourishing. Mental illness without flourishing (languishing) group accounted for 20.59% of the sample. People older than 44 years old are less likely to fall into this group. People who have a good assessment of their ability to perform daily physical activity are less likely to fall into this group. This group presented a high association with internal stigma. People living with HIV falling into this group receive less social support. Conclusions Our study demonstrated that a third of the present sample have positive mental health and are flourishing, and this was associated with high social support. People with more advanced levels of physical functioning were less likely to flourish in the presence of mental illness. Insufficient social support, internal stigma, difficulty in performing daily physical activities and younger age have an significant association with anxiety and depression without flourishing. Continued efforts are recommended on increasing public awareness of HIV infection in Kazakhstan, with a special focus on reducing discrimination in various spheres of life, which affects internal stigmatization and mental health of individuals with HIV in Kazakhstan.

Practice implications It is recommended to increase availability of social services and support for individuals with HIV, as this could benefit their mental health and well-being.