Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains a significant global health problem, and the number of new cases is increasing in Central Asia, including Kazakhstan. This study aimed to examine the association of a range of demographic, physical health and psychosocial factors with the mental health of people living with HIV in Kazakhstan, applying the two-continua model of mental health, which holds that mental wellbeing and mental illness are two distinct continua that are interrelated in their contributions to overall mental health. The study findings can inform future interventions aimed to prevent mental illness and promote the mental wellbeing of people living with HIV. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in collaboration with the Kazakhstan Union of people living with HIV. The online survey link was disseminated via social networks of people living with HIV in various regions of Kazakhstan from January to February 2024. The questionnaire included questions on sociodemographic characteristics, general health information and standardized validated scales to measure flourishing, depressive and anxiety symptoms, HIV-related stigma, and social support. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate multinomial regression analyses were performed in STATA software version 18. RESULTS: A third of the sample was flourishing (33.53%) without depressive or anxiety symptoms, while 15.29% of participants were flourishing despite mental illness, 30.59% were not flourishing and had no mental illness, and 20.59% were experiencing mental illness and not flourishing. Participants with higher social support were more likely to flourish and have no symptoms of depression or anxiety, while flourishing despite mental illness was associated with the unemployment status of people living with HIV. High internalized stigma was associated with the increased risk of having depression or anxiety symptoms and low mental wellbeing, while better physical health and older age had a protective effect against mental illness and languishing. CONCLUSIONS: Study findings suggest that enhancing access to social support and reducing HIV-related stigma are key to improving mental wellbeing among people living with HIV in Kazakhstan, especially among individuals of younger age, and those with worse physical condition. Applying the dual continuum model of mental health and integrating mental wellbeing scales in physical and psychological examinations of people living with HIV is recommended to better determine their service needs and provide tailored interventions to those most in need.