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- Title
The Role of HIV Stigma in ART Adherence and Quality of Life Among Rural Women Living with HIV in India.
- Authors
Heylen, Elsa; Mazur, Amanda; Steward, Wayne T.; Ekstrand, Maria L.; Carpenter, Catherine; Yadav, Kartik; Nyamathi, Adey; Sinha, Sanjeev
- Abstract
HIV stigma continues to be a barrier to physical and mental health among people living with HIV globally, especially in vulnerable populations. We examined how stigma is associated with health outcomes and quality of life among rural women living with HIV in South India (N = 600). Interviewer-administered measures assessed multiple dimensions of stigma, as well as loneliness, social support, ART adherence, time since diagnosis, and quality of life. Internalized stigma and a lack of social support were associated with a lower quality of life, while the association between internalized stigma and adherence was mediated by the use of stigma-avoidant coping strategies, suggesting that keeping one’s diagnosis a secret may make it more difficult to take one’s medications. These findings suggest that these women constitute a vulnerable population who need additional services to optimize their health and who might benefit from peer support interventions and stigma-reduction programs for family and community members.
- Subjects
INDIA; ANTIRETROVIRAL agents; DRUGS; HIV infections; PSYCHOLOGY of HIV-positive persons; LONELINESS; EVALUATION of medical care; PATIENT compliance; QUALITY of life; RURAL conditions; SOCIAL stigma; WOMEN'S health; SOCIAL support
- Publication
AIDS & Behavior, 2018, Vol 22, Issue 12, p3859
- ISSN
1090-7165
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s10461-018-2157-7