Date of Award

January 2012

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Department

School of Public Health

First Advisor

Trace Kershaw

Second Advisor

Mayur Desai

Abstract

The burden of HIV/AIDS in China is due to injection drug use. Non-clinical caregivers provide much of the care for HIV patients but are often not included in HIV care or research. The objective of this study is to examine the relationships between the caregiver context and mental health of HIV-positive injection drug users and their caregivers. We interviewed 100 patient and caregiver dyads using quantitative methods. A conceptual model was developed and used as a framework for multivariate linear regression modeling. The strongest predictor of patient mental health was social support, which was largely determined by the caregiver's stigma towards HIV/AIDS. Patient disability was the strongest predictor of caregiver mental health. The interrelated nature of caregiver and patient mental health supports the inclusion of caregiver health into the patient's HIV/AIDS treatment to maximize the support they provide as well as improve health for both members of the patient-caregiver dyad.

Comments

This is an Open Access Thesis.

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