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  4. Vol 6, Issue 1, 2026

Impact of social support on medication adherence and the mediating role of depression in patients with HIV/AIDS in Chongqing

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DOI: 10.23977/phpm.2026.060115 | Downloads: 0 | Views: 18

Author(s)

Shuang Wu 1, Chao Zhou 2, Wei Zhang 2, Hong Wang 1

Affiliation(s)

1 College of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
2 Chongqing Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chongqing, 400707, China

Corresponding Author

Hong Wang

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to analyze the current status of medication adherence of HIV/AIDS patients receiving antiretroviral therapy(ART) in Chongqing and to explore the mediating effect of depression in the impact of social support on medication adherence. A total of 568 HIV/AIDS patients with failed ART were included as study subjects, and data on patients' demographic characteristics, depression, social support factors, and medication adherence were collected through questionnaire surveys, and mediation,analyses were used to analyze the mediating effect of depression on the relationship between social support factors and medication adherence. The results indicated that 67.08% felt a high level of social support, 36.8% were in depression and 54.4% had good medication adherence. The mean score of medication adherence was moderate at 6.8±1.5. Depression in HIV/AIDS patients mediates the effect of social support on medication adherence. The mediating effect (0.031, 95% CI: 0.018–0.051) accounted for 46.3% of the total effect (0.067, 95% CI: 0.029–0.101). In conclusion, the percentage of HIV/AIDS patients with good adherence to medication in Chongqing is relatively low. By increasing the level of social support and helping patients to alleviate anxiety, medication adherence can be effectively improved and treatment outcomes can be improved.

KEYWORDS

HIV/AIDS; Antiretroviral therapy; Medication adherence; Social support

CITE THIS PAPER

Shuang Wu, Chao Zhou, Wei Zhang, Hong Wang. Impact of social support on medication adherence and the mediating role of depression in patients with HIV/AIDS in Chongqing. MEDS Public Health and Preventive Medicine (2026). Vol. 6, No.1, 122-129. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.23977/phpm.2026.060115.

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