Social Support, Depression, and Anxiety as Predictors of Suicidal Ideation in People Living with HIV/AIDS: A Meta-Analysis

Aulia Putri Nugraheni (Master’s Program in Public Health, Universitas Sebelas Maret)
Maoli Zartika (Master’s Program in Public Health, Universitas Sebelas Maret)
Anis Lupita Ningrum (Master’s Program in Public Health, Universitas Sebelas Maret)
Bhisma Murti (Master’s Program in Public Health, Universitas Sebelas Maret)
Ika Yuli Ayuningrum (Master’s Program in Public Health, Universitas Sebelas Maret)

Journal of Health Promotion and Behavior
Vol. 10 No. 4 (2025)

Background: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a disease caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are 7 to 36 times more likely to experience suicidal ideation compared to the general population. Suicidal ideation among PLWHA is closely correlated with depression and anxiety. Social support plays a crucial role in helping individuals cope with HIV, serving as a direct protective factor for psychosocial health. This meta-analysis aims to examine the relationship between social support, depression, and anxiety with suicidal ideation among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA)
Subjects and Method: The meta-analysis was conducted using the PICO framework. Population: people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Intervention: high social support, presence of depression, and anxiety. Comparison: low social support, absence of depression, and absence of anxiety. Outcome: suicidal ideation. Research data were obtained from the Google Scholar, PubMed, and ScienceDirect databases. The keywords used were “social support” OR “depression” OR “anxiety” AND “suicidal ideation” AND “HIV/AIDS” OR “PLWHA.” The inclusion criteria included cross-sectional studies published between 2014 and 2024. Data analysis was performed using RevMan version 5.4.
Results: The meta-analysis included 19 primary studies conducted in Indonesia, South Korea, China, Ethiopia, Uganda, Nigeria, South Africa, and the United States, with a total sample size of 11,166 participants. PLWHA residing in communities with high social support had 0.65 times lower odds of suicidal ideation compared to those with low social support (aOR= 0.65; 95% CI= 0.57 to 0.74; p<0.001). PLWHA experiencing depression had a 3.21 times higher risk of suicidal ideation compared to those without depression (aOR= 3.21; 95% CI= 2.07 to 4.99; p <0.001). PLWHA with anxiety were 1.67 times more likely to experience suicidal ideation than those without anxiety (aOR= 1.67; 95% CI= 1.29 to 2.18; p= 0.001).
Conclusion: Depression and anxiety increase the risk of suicidal ideation, whereas high social support reduces the risk of suicidal ideation among people living with HIV/AIDS.