Socio-economic status, depression and non- suppressed viral load in Masaka District

Abstract

The study sought to assess the relationship between Socio-economic status, Depression and Viral load non-suppression among people living with HIV in Masaka district. A quantitative, cross sectional and correlation survey study design was adopted. A total of 30 questionnaires were systematically distributed to the respondents. The researcher employed self –administered questionnaires which consisted of closed end questions to collect information from the respondents. Data was entered into a computer using the statistical packages for social sciences (SPSS). The findings of the study indicated that there was actually a significant relationship between socio- economic status and viral load non-suppression, there is significant positive relationship between depression and viral load non-suppression, and socio-economic status and depression among HIV positive people at Masaka Regional Referral Hospital in Masaka district. The researcher concluded that there is an influence of depression derived from low-income status upon viral load non-suppression of people living with HIV, since the findings show a relationship among the three variables, however the researcher suggested that more research should be conducted upon these three variables since we need to know whether depression could influence viral load non-suppression among people living with HIV.