Discrimination, social capital, depression, and quality of life of women living with HIV of childbearing age in Xinjiang, China

This study explore discrimination, social capital and depressive symptoms on the quality of life of women living with HIV of childbearing age in Xinjiang, China. A questionnaire survey was administered to 553 woman living with HIV of childbearing age between September 2021 and September 2022 .Numerous independent factors were screened using lasso regression, and the pathway “discrimination perception - social capital/depression - quality of life” was examined using AMOS. Screened out seven non-zero coefficient potential influencing factors: monthly income, sleep quality, use of antiviral medications etc. In the SEM, discrimination was linked to mental stress, which lowered the quality of life for women who were HIV-positive. Social capital significantly reduced mental stress directly. Discrimination perception can reduce quality of life by aggravating depressive symptoms, and discrimination can also increase depressive symptoms by reducing social capital, thus reducing quality of life.Measures should be taken to reduce mental strain in People living with HIV and reduce discrimination toward this special group.