New research investigates whether pet ownership impacts healthcare access in people living with HIV.

In recent decades, advances in antiretroviral drugs have transformed the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) into a manageable chronic condition. People living with HIV can now expect to live a long and healthy life, provided that they adhere to their medications and attend regular healthcare appointments. However, despite these advances in physical health, people living with HIV still frequently face stigma and social isolation, which can take a toll on their mental health.

People with HIV are more likely to be diagnosed with anxiety, mood and cognitive disorders. However, previous research shows that pets can offer strong social and emotional support to people living with HIV, helping to alleviate the social isolation and stigma. For example, a study revealed that pet owners with HIV enjoyed better emotional wellbeing and reported fewer unsupportive social interactions than non-pet owners. Although, a recent US study suggests that pets can also create barriers to accessing healthcare in people living with HIV.

New research into pets and HIV

The study included 204 participants, recruited from the Florida Cohort which assessed what factors affected healthcare accessibility and utilisation, and HIV clinical outcomes. Participants answered three 12-item scales, including one on pet-related barriers to healthcare which was developed for this study. The other two scales measured the comfort participants received from their companion animals, and perceived social support. Participants also answered questions on sociodemographic factors, such as income, race, and health needs.

The study’s findings revealed that more than one-third of participants (36%) reported one or more barriers to healthcare related to pets. Although, a greater number of participants anticipated experiencing barriers (31%), than had actually experienced them (17%). The most commonly reported barrier was, “Would you: Delay seeking health services if it meant you could not care for your pets?”, which was endorsed by 25% of participants.

Key research findings

Income: Higher and lower income participants faced barriers to healthcare, although potentially for different reasons.

Social support: Better social support resulted in experiencing and anticipating fewer barriers, emphasising the importance of social support in accessing healthcare.

Comfort from pets: Participants who reported more comfort from their pets also anticipated more barriers, perhaps because they prioritise their pet’s wellbeing over their own.

Race: White pet owners were more likely to anticipate future barriers than black participants, maybe due to differing perceptions of challenges or healthcare access.

Antiretroviral therapy: More barriers to healthcare were reported by participants taking antiretroviral therapy, perhaps due to having more frequent healthcare appointments.

Study implications

The study revealed that participant income, level of social support, comfort from companion animals, race, and antiretroviral therapy were important factors when predicting experienced or anticipated healthcare barriers. Participants with higher social support reported anticipating fewer barriers, and it also moderated the effect of income, suggesting that social support might play an important role in reducing the challenges to accessing healthcare presented by pet ownership.

On the other hand, participants who reported receiving higher levels of comfort from their pets were more likely to anticipate future healthcare access barriers, suggesting that whilst pets can provide socioemotional benefits, they can also complicate healthcare access. However, future research is needed to determine whether participants actually do experience more barriers in the future, or just anticipated that they would. More in-depth research is also needed to understand why participants of higher and lower incomes both reported more barriers to healthcare access, as they may be underpinned by different challenges.

Key study findings:

• High- and low-income participants faced more barriers to healthcare
• Better social support predicted fewer barriers
• Participants who reported getting more comfort from their pet anticipated more barriers
• White owners anticipated more barriers to accessing healthcare than black owners
• Participants taking antiretroviral therapy experienced more barriers