Factors associated with life satisfaction among HIV-positive students in higher education institutions in South Africa

Abstract

Background HIV/AIDS remains a significant global public health challenge and in the South African context is a generalised epidemic affecting all sectors of society. One of the subpopulations known to engage in HIV risk behaviours is the university student population. Living with HIV/AIDS in a higher education institution could influence quality of life and life satisfaction negatively affecting the ability of students to complete their studies. Aim The aim of this study was to investigate factors that are associated with life satisfaction among higher education students who are living with HIV. The objectives investigated to achieve the aim are as follows: ? To determine the prevalence of life satisfaction in the general student population ? To determine the prevalence of life satisfaction among HIV positive students ? To explore the factors associated with life satisfaction among HIV positive students Methodology This was a secondary data analysis of data collected during the Higher Education HIV/AIDS Programme (HEAIDS) survey conducted during the second term of 2008 and the first term of 2009 among students in 22 South African higher education institutions (HEIs). The total number of participants during the survey was N=17,062. The Higher Education Management and Information System (HEMIS) database 2006 was used to create a sampling frame. The present study utilised only the student component of the original study to investigate the prevalence of self?reported life satisfaction among the general student population as well as prevalence of self?reported life satisfaction among students who are infected with HIV. Universities were categorised into large, medium, and small categories based on the numbers of staff and students so as to allocate sample sizes among the universities. Each HEI population was stratified by campus and faculty/class and then clusters of students were selected for the study using standard randomisation techniques. Self?administered questionnaires were used to obtain demographic, socioeconomic, education?related data, behavioural and psychological characteristics such as self?esteem, optimism and life satisfaction. Life satisfaction was assessed using a single?item measure within the questionnaire. The questionnaire was also used to obtain information on demographic, socioeconomic, behavioural, and other life satisfaction related factors. The HIV status of participants was determined by laboratory testing of dry blood spots (DBS) obtained using standard methodology. Data were analysed using chi?square and multiple?variable adjusted logistic regression. Results Of the study population, 52.5% were females. The overall prevalence of HIV among all students was 3.1% (n=499). Overall, 79.54% (n=12784) of the students reported life satisfaction. Reported life satisfaction was higher among HIV negative than among HIVpositive students with 79.5% and 67.6% respectively; p<0.001. Among the HIV?positive student population, reported life satisfaction was less frequent among students who were not married than among married students (65.7% versus 86.4%; p=0.009). The older the students, the more likely they were to report satisfaction with life with 61.18%, 75.39%, and 79.46% for age categories 18?24 years, 25?34 years, and 35 years and older respectively. Compared to African black students, students from other race groups were less likely to report satisfaction with life (aOR: 0.04; 95% CI: 0.04?0.60). Conclusion This study s findings suggest that the majority of students in HEIs in South Africa are satisfied with their life. However, the study also revealed that there is a need to promote life skills and psychological support among higher education institution students prioritising those who are living with HIV/AIDS especially those in the younger age?group.