Food insecurity is associated with energy insecurity and depression among indviduals living with HIV/AIDs in rural Appalachia

This study examined levels of food security, energy security (ability to secure utilities), and depression in individuals living with HIV/AIDS in rural Appalachia. The mean age of the participants (n = 80) was 47 years (SD = 10); the majority of the sample were male, white, and non‐Hispanic. A third of the participant households were highly food secure (n = 28), 12.5% (n = 10) were marginally food secure (10, 12.5%), 13.8% had low food security (n = 11), and 38.8% had very low food security (n = 31). Nearly 50% of participant households were energy secure (n = 38), 16.3% were moderately energy insecure (n = 13), and 36.3% were severely energy insecure (n = 29). Participants were categorized as minimally depressed (24, 31.2%), mildly (27, 35.1%), moderately (9, 11.7%), moderately severely (7, 9.1%), or severely 10, 13.0%) depressed. Food insecurity was significantly correlated with energy insecurity (r = 0.370, p<.001) and depression (r = 0.402, p<.001). This study supports that individuals living with HIV/AIDS have decreased access to resources needed for food and utilities and are prone to depression. Further studies should examine the implications of these findings to support the development of programs to improve the well‐being of these individuals. Grant Funding Source : NA