The impact of depressive symptoms and social support on resilience among older adult caregivers.

In this study the authors explored how depressive symptoms and social support were related to the resilience of older caregivers (N = 117) caring children affected by HIV/AIDS in rural Northern Namibia, Africa. Our findings showed that lower levels of depressive symptoms and high levels of social support from significant others and family were statistically associated with increased resilience in older caregivers. There is a need for mental health services and social supports to improve the resilience of older caregivers caring for children affected by HIV and AIDS.

Risk and protective factors for depressive symptoms among the youth living with HIV in Namibia.

Background: : Namibia has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates among young people living with HIV and AIDS. The study of mental well-being among this vulnerable population is emerging as an important area of public health research.

Methods: : This study examined how gender, social support, food insecurity, HIV-related stigma, HIV treatment adherence and HIV transmission knowledge are related to depressive symptoms among young people living with HIV in rural northern Namibia.

Depressive symptoms among older adults with HIV in Namibia: the role of social support and spirituality.

More than 60% of older adults living with HIV reside in sub-Saharan Africa. Namibia has one of the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rates. This study examined the association between social support, spirituality and depressive symptoms.

HIV stigma, resilience and depressive symptoms among older adults living with HIV in rural Namibia.

In sub-Saharan Africa, HIV-positive older adults aged 50 years and older experience complex psychosocial issues in addition to dealing with their HIV status and the ageing process. This study focused on the association between HIV stigma, resilience, and depressive symptoms among 147 older adults from the Oshana and Ohangwena health facilities in rural Namibia. The study used the hierarchical multivariate regression analysis method to reveal that there was a positive association between HIV stigma (negative self-perceptions) and depression as well as a negative relationship between resilience and depression.

Burden of Care among Caregivers of Persons Living with HIV/AIDS in Rural Namibia: Correlates and Outcomes.

This study examined the correlates of burden of caregivers providing care to people living with HIV/AIDS in rural northern Namibia and the consequences of caregivers' burden on their physical health and mental health. A purposive sampling method was used to recruit a total of 97 primary caregivers (N = 97) in rural Namibia. We found that hunger and HIV stigma were both positively associated with caregiver burden.