Loneliness affects 46.9% of people with HIV, social isolation 25.9%Loneliness and Isolation Common in People with HIV

Journal of clinical nursing Published September 3, 2026 Study authors: Wen Qi, Zhao Ting, Goldsamt Lloyd A, Halili Xirongguli, Zhang Ci, Lai Xinyi, Zheng Kexin, Wang Hongh… PubMed ↗ DOI ↗ Editorial oversight: Dr. Amelia Tan, PhD · Internal Medicine & Chronic Disease

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Key Takeaway

Consider screening for loneliness and social isolation in routine HIV care, given high prevalence.

This is a meta-analysis of 66 studies that pooled the prevalence of loneliness and social isolation among people living with HIV. The analysis also examined the co-occurrence of these conditions and explored factors explaining heterogeneity across studies. The pooled prevalence of loneliness was 46.9%, and the pooled prevalence of social isolation was 25.9%. These findings indicate that a substantial proportion of people living with HIV experience these psychosocial challenges.

The authors noted very high heterogeneity across studies, which means that the pooled estimates should be interpreted cautiously. Some subgroup estimates were based on small numbers of studies, further limiting the precision of certain results. The analysis did not report on adverse events or other safety outcomes, as it focused on prevalence.

Given the high prevalence, the authors suggest that routine HIV services should include screening and referral pathways for loneliness and social isolation. However, due to the heterogeneity and the observational nature of the included studies, these findings do not establish causality. Clinicians should consider these results as a call to assess and address psychosocial factors in this population, but should be aware of the limitations in the evidence.

A comprehensive review of 66 studies reveals that loneliness and social isolation are widespread among people living with HIV. The analysis found that about 47% of individuals reported feeling lonely, while roughly 26% experienced social isolation. These numbers are concerning because both conditions can negatively impact mental and physical health.

The study combined data from many different research projects to get a clearer picture. However, the researchers noted that there was a lot of variation between the studies, which means the exact numbers might not apply to every group. Some smaller subgroups had even less reliable estimates.

Despite these limitations, the findings highlight a significant issue. Many people with HIV are struggling with feeling disconnected from others. This can lead to depression, anxiety, and worse health outcomes.

The authors suggest that routine HIV care should include screening for loneliness and social isolation. They also recommend creating referral pathways to connect patients with support services. Addressing these social factors is crucial for improving overall well-being.

While the study does not prove that loneliness causes poor health, it shows a strong link. Healthcare providers should be aware of these high rates and take steps to help patients build social connections.

What this means for you:

Nearly half of people with HIV feel lonely, and a quarter are socially isolated, so screening and support are needed.

Common questions

How common is loneliness among people with HIV?

Based on a new analysis of 66 studies, about 46.9% of people living with HIV experience loneliness. That means nearly half of people with HIV may feel lonely. However, the studies varied a lot, so the actual number could be different.

What is social isolation and how common is it in HIV?

Social isolation means having few social contacts or feeling disconnected from others. The same analysis found that about 25.9% of people with HIV experience social isolation. That is about one in four people.

Should I be screened for loneliness if I have HIV?

The researchers suggest that routine HIV care should include screening for loneliness and social isolation. If you are living with HIV, you can ask your healthcare provider about screening and support options. This is not medical advice, but a conversation to have with your doctor.

Study Details

Study typeMeta analysis

EvidenceLevel 1

PublishedSep 2026

PMID42191424

View Original Abstract ↓

AIM: To estimate the prevalence of loneliness, social isolation, and their co-occurrence among people living with HIV and to explore factors explaining heterogeneity between estimates. DESIGN: A systematic review and meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Cochrane Library, SciELO Citation Index (via Web of Science), Scopus, Embase, PsycArticles, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) were searched from inception until November 1, 2024 for relevant studies. METHODS: Study eligibility, data extraction, and methodological quality assessment were conducted independently by two reviewers. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to estimate pooled prevalence. Subgroup analyses were performed. RESULTS: A total of 66 studies were included. The pooled prevalence of loneliness was 46.9% and that of social isolation was 25.9%. However, heterogeneity was very high across studies, and these pooled estimates should therefore be interpreted cautiously. Subgroup analyses suggested regional variation in both loneliness and social isolation. Other subgroup findings should be interpreted cautiously because some subgroup estimates were based on small numbers of studies. CONCLUSION: Loneliness and social isolation are highly prevalent among people living with HIV. Population-specific intervention strategies are needed to reduce this burden, and future studies should further examine contextual and demographic differences to guide intervention design. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: Routine HIV services should include screening and referral pathways for loneliness and social isolation. IMPACT: This systematic review identified the pooled prevalence of loneliness and social isolation among people living with HIV, highlighting a substantial and clinically relevant burden. The findings may influence HIV nurses' practice and inform care approaches for other clinical populations experiencing loneliness and social isolation. REPORTING METHOD: This systematic review followed the PRISMA and MOOSE reporting guidelines. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.

Loneliness affects 46.9% of people with HIV, social isolation 25.9%Loneliness and Isolation Common in People with HIV

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Loneliness affects 46.9% of people with HIV, social isolation 25.9%Loneliness and Isolation Common in People with HIV

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