Family support and suicidal ideation in people with human immunodeficiency virus infection

Background: Suicidal ideation is common among HIV-positive people. Although various correlates, such as demographic, psychosocial, and life-style factors of suicidal ideation have been investigated, the role of family support is still unknown. We assessed the relationship between perceived family support and suicidal ideation among HIV-positive people.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 317 HIV-positive people (men:182; women:135) aged 20–60 years in Kathmandu, Nepal. Perceived family support was measured using the10-item Nepali Family Support and Difficulty Scale. Items included questions on perceived support while being sick, being consulted while making decisions, and being discriminated against by family members. Suicidal ideation was measured by a single item assessing thoughts of killing oneself in the past two weeks. The relationship between family support and suicidal ideation was assessed using multiple logistic regression analysis by adjusting potential confounders.

Results: Approximately 14% of participants (43/317) reported thoughts of suicide in the past two weeks. Those with the highest level of family support had a significantly decreased risk of suicidal ideation; the odds ratio and 95 % confidence interval of suicidal ideation for the lowest through highest tertile categories of family support were 1.00 (reference), 0.58 (0.20-1.64) and 0.33 (0.13-0.80) (P for trend=0.01). High perceived support while being sick, not being discriminated against or disliked, having a role in the family, and being consulted for decision making by family members were significantly associated with lower risk of suicidal ideation.

Conclusion: Higher family support may be important for preventing suicidal ideation among HIV-positive people.