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Title Persistent HIV-related stigma in rural Uganda during a period of increasing HIV incidence despite treatment expansion
Full text https://escholarship.org/uc/item/8912d7j6
Date 2015
Author(s) Chan, Brian T; Weiser, Sheri D; Boum, Yap; Siedner, Mark J; Mocello, A Rain; Haberer, Jessica E; Hunt, Peter W; Martin, Jeffrey N; Mayer, Kenneth H; Bangsberg, David R; Tsai, Alexander C
Abstract ObjectiveProgramme implementers have argued that the increasing availability of antiretroviral therapy (ART) will reduce the stigma of HIV. We analyzed data from Uganda to assess how HIV-related stigma has changed during a period of ART expansion.DesignSerial cross-sectional surveys.MethodsWe analyzed data from the Uganda AIDS Rural Treatment Outcomes study during 2007-2012 to estimate trends in internalized stigma among people living with HIV (PLHIV) at the time of treatment initiation. We analyzed data from the Uganda Demographic and Health Surveys from 2006 to 2011 to estimate trends in stigmatizing attitudes and anticipated stigma in the general population. We fitted regression models adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, with year of data collection as the primary explanatory variable.ResultsWe estimated an upward trend in internalized stigma among PLHIV presenting for treatment initiation [adjusted b = 0.18; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.06-0.30]. In the general population, the odds of reporting anticipated stigma were greater in 2011 compared with 2006 [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.80; 95% CI, 1.51-2.13], despite an apparent decline in stigmatizing attitudes (adjusted OR = 0.62; 95% CI, 0.52-0.74).ConclusionInternalized stigma has increased over time among PLHIV in the setting of worsening anticipated stigma in the general population. Further study is needed to better understand the reasons for increasing HIV-related stigma in Uganda and its impact on HIV prevention efforts.
Subject(s) Behavioral and Social Science; Clinical Research; Pediatric AIDS; HIV/AIDS; Prevention; Infectious Diseases; Mental Health; Pediatric; Infection; Good Health and Well Being; Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Data Collection; Female; HIV Infections; Health Knowledge; Attitudes; Practice; Humans; Incidence; Male; Odds Ratio; Rural Population; Social Stigma; Treatment Outcome; Uganda; HIV; incidence; stigma; trends; Biological Sciences; Medical and Health Sciences; Psychology and Cognitive Sciences; Virology
Coverage 83 - 90
Publisher eScholarship, University of California
Type of publication article
Format application/pdf
Source AIDS, vol 29, iss 1
Rights public
Identifier qt8912d7j6
Repository Berkeley - University of California
Added to C-A: 2023-10-11;09:56:33