Recent World Health Organization HIV treatment guideline expansion may facilitate timely antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation. However, large-scale success of universal treatment strategies requires a more comprehensive understanding of known barriers to early ART initiation. This work aims to advance a more comprehensive understanding of interrelationships among three known barriers to ART initiation: psychological distress, HIV-related stigma, and low social support. We analyzed cross-sectional interview data on 1175 adults initiating ART at six HIV treatment clinics in Ethiopia. Experience of each form of HIV-related stigma assessed (e.g., anticipatory, internalized, and enacted) was associated with increased odds of psychological distress. However, among those who reported enacted HIV-related stigma, there was no significant association between social support and psychological distress. Interventions to improve mental health among people living with HIV should consider incorporating components to address stigma, focusing on strategies to prevent or reduce the internalization of stigma, given the magnitude of the relationship between high internalized stigma and psychological distress. Interventions to increase social support may be insufficient to improve the mental health of people living with HIV who experienced enacted HIV-related stigma. Future research should examine alternative strategies to manage the mental health consequences of enacted HIV-related stigma, including coping skills training.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6095827 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10461-018-2059-8 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Empowerment through knowledge: Qualitative perceptions of 'undetectable equals Untransmittable' among people living with HIV and tuberculosis in South Africa.
Int J Nurs Stud
January 2025
Johns Hopkins University Center for Infectious Disease and Nursing Innovation, Baltimore, MD, USA; Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Introduction: Undetectable equals untransmittable (U=U) is an education campaign promoting science that people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who maintain an undetectable viral load cannot transmit HIV to others. Researchers theorize that undetectable equals untransmittable messaging will decrease HIV stigma by reducing fears of HIV transmission and providing evidence to dismantle discriminatory policies. However, little is known about how people with HIV in South Africa interpret the results of their viral load tests, undetectable equals untransmittable messaging, or its impact on stigma.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF'It is scary to pause treatment': perspectives on HIV cure-related research and analytical treatment interruptions from women diagnosed during acute HIV in Durban, South Africa.
HIV Res Clin Pract
December 2025
Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, USA.
Background: HIV remains a major challenge in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, particularly for young women who face disproportionate risks and barriers to prevention and treatment. Most HIV cure trials, however, occur in high-income countries.
Objective: To examine the perspectives of young women diagnosed with acute HIV in a longitudinal study, focusing on their perceptions on ATI-inclusive HIV cure trials and the barriers and facilitators to participation.
Understanding HIV-Related Mental Health Challenges and Contributing Factors Among Indonesian Adolescents Living with HIV.
Int J Environ Res Public Health
January 2025
Centre for Public Health, Equity and Human Flourishing, Torrens University Australia, Adelaide 5000, Australia.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has disproportionately affected various population groups, including adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV). In many contexts, ALHIV have been reported to experience mental health issues following their HIV diagnosis. However, there is a limited understanding of the mental health issues faced by ALHIV in Indonesia and the various contributing factors globally.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF"I Look in the Mirror and Say 'You Know What, There Is Hope for You'"-An Interpretative Qualitative Study of Current and Future Well-Being in Black African Women Older Than 50 Years With HIV in the United Kingdom.
J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care
January 2025
Rebecca Conway, DClinPsy, is a Clinical Psychologist, affiliated with Royal Holloway, University of London, Surrey, United Kingdom.
Effective antiretroviral treatment means that people with HIV are living for longer. This includes Black African women, who represent a large proportion of people aging with HIV in the United Kingdom. Despite this, the impact of living and aging with HIV on the well-being of Black African women aging with HIV has not been investigated.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMagnitude of Depression and Associated Factors in Women Living With HIV in Northwest, Ethiopia: Mediation Analysis.
AIDS Res Treat
January 2025
Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Depression in women living with HIV (WLWHIV), is one of the most common public health concerns worldwide. Depression has a negative impact on antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence, quality of life, poor HIV treatment outcomes, and mortality. However, there is a paucity of evidence in low-income countries such as Ethiopia in WLWHIV.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!