Psychosocial well-being of people living with HIV and the community before and after a HIV stigma-reduction community “hub” network intervention

HIV-related stigma is pervasive in the U.S. South and has potential negative effects on health outcomes and emotional well-being, and may act as a barrier to HIV-related advocacy among people living with HIV (PLWH). This article reports on the preliminary outcomes associated with participation in an HIV advocacy training for PLWH, LEAD, that included education and skills building for reducing HIV-related stigma. Fifty-seven PLWH at four sites in the U.S. South participated in the retreat-style training and completed a survey measuring stigma and comfort engaging in advocacy prior to and after the worshop. Participation was associated with statistically significant reduction in internalized HIV stigma and increase in comfort with participation in advocacy; however, participants reported a need for ongoing training and support to further increase comfort with advocacy participation. Although more research is needed on the LEAD Workshop, it shows promise as an option for reducing HIV-related stigma among PLWH.

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Predictors of HIV stigma among health workers in the Cape Coast metropolis, Ghana

Journal of Public Health in Africa ◽

10.4081/jphia.2020.1020 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

James Prah ◽

Anna Hayfron-Benjamin ◽

Mohammed Abdulai ◽

Obed Lasim ◽

Yvonne Nartey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Workers ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Hiv Stigma ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Cape Coast ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Stigma Reduction ◽

Independent Variables ◽

Care Workers ◽

Living With Hiv

Background: Stigma against people living with HIV (PLHIV) among health workers remains a barrier to the provision of needed care to HIV patients worldwide. We sought to investigate predictors of HIV stigma among health workers in Cape Coast, Ghana. Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted in three hospitals from November 2016 to February 2017. The study made use of a pre-existing self-administered questionnaire. Multiple regression analysis and Pearson’s coefficient tests were performed to determine the relationship between the dependent variable, stigmatized attitudes of health workers and some independent variables, and to determine which of the independent variables predict stigma amongst health care workers. Results: A total of 331 health workers of different categories participated. Respondents’ personal opinions on HIV, fears/worries of getting infected and category of staff {F(3,327)= 23.934 p<0.00 }, R2 = 0.180) significantly predicted their stigmatizing behaviour. Compared to other health workers, nurses had higher scores for stigmatizing behaviour. Conclusions: the study found evidence of discriminatory and stigmatizing behaviour towards PLHIV by health workers. Stigma reduction programmes aimed at health workers should be strengthened at all health facilities that provide care to PLHIV.

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Experiences of people living with HIV and people living close to them of a comprehensive HIV stigma reduction community intervention in an urban and a rural setting

SAHARA-J Journal of Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS ◽

10.1080/17290376.2014.938104 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 105-115 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Heleen French ◽

Minrie Greeff ◽

Martha J. Watson

Keyword(s):

Community Intervention ◽

Hiv Stigma ◽

Rural Setting ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Stigma Reduction ◽

Living With Hiv

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The Effect of Religiously Integrated Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on the Psycho-Spiritual Well-Being of People Living with HIV

Philippine Social Science Journal ◽

10.52006/main.v3i3.245 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 3 (3) ◽

pp. 33-43

Author(s):

Jose Leonardo L. Degillo ◽

Lisa Anna M. Gayoles

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy ◽

Behavioral Therapy ◽

Well Being ◽

Cognitive Behavioral ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Single Session ◽

Psychological Well Being ◽

Before And After ◽

Spiritual Well Being ◽

Living With Hiv

This study determined the effect of Religiously Integrated Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (RCBT) on the psycho-spiritual well-being of people living with HIV (PLHIV). A one-group pretest-posttest design was employed to determine the effect of RCBT on the psycho-spiritual well-being of PLHIV. The Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWBI) and the Spiritual Well-Being Questionnaire (SWBQ) were used to measure psychological well-being and spiritual well-being, respectively. The intervention was a single session RCBT. The participants were PLHIV from the Philippine Catholic HIV/AIDS Network (PhilCHAN) Western Visayas group. The results of the study revealed a statistically significant increase in the psychological well-being of the PLHIV before and after the RCBT. Although there was an increase in the spiritual well-being of the PLHIV after the RCBT, it was not statistically significant. The findings suggest implications for the inclusion of RCBT in the services provided for PLHIV to improve their psycho-spiritual well-being.

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Spiritual leaders’ experiences of a comprehensive HIV stigma reduction intervention

HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies ◽

10.4102/hts.v74i4.4875 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 74 (4) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Germari Kruger ◽

Minrie Greeff ◽

Rantoa Letšosa

Keyword(s):

Traditional Healers ◽

Hiv Stigma ◽

Rural Setting ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Spiritual Leaders ◽

Community Members ◽

Stigma Reduction ◽

North West ◽

The North ◽

Living With Hiv

HIV is a deadly reality in South African communities, where people living with HIV (PLWH) do not only face physical sickness but also severe stigmatisation. Literature shows that spiritual leaders (religious leaders/traditional healers) can have a very meaningful role in the reduction of HIV stigma. This article reports on part of a comprehensive community-based HIV stigma reduction intervention with PLWH and people living close to them, which included partners, children, family members, friends, community members and spiritual leaders. The focus of this article is on the experiences of spiritual leaders during and after the HIV stigma reduction intervention. The research took place in both an urban and rural setting in the North-West Province of South Africa and data collection was done by means of in-depth interviews with the spiritual leaders. The interaction with PLWH during the intervention activated new experiences for spiritual leaders: acceptance and empathy for PLWH, an awareness of their own ignorance, a stronger realisation of God’s presence and a realisation that they could inspire hope in PLWH. A greater awareness was created of HIV and of the associated realities regarding disclosure and stigma. The inclusion of spiritual leaders as well as PLWH brought about a positive shift in the attitudes of communities through the increase of knowledge and understanding of HIV stigma. They saw themselves playing a much greater part in facilitating such a shift and in reducing HIV stigma in their own congregations and their communities at large.

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Impacts of HIV Stigma on Psychosocial Well-Being and Substance Use Behaviors Among People Living With HIV/AIDS In China: Across the Life Span

AIDS Education and Prevention ◽

10.1521/aeap.2018.30.2.108 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 30 (2) ◽

pp. 108-119 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Chen Zhang ◽

Xiaoming Li ◽

Yu Liu ◽

Yuejiao Zhou ◽

Zhiyong Shen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Well Being ◽

Hiv Stigma ◽

Psychological Status ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Coping Skill ◽

Mixed Effect ◽

Living With Hiv ◽

The Impact ◽

Hiv Aids

To date, existing studies have indicated that stigma against people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) negatively affects their psychosocial well-being, and the impact may differ by age. In the current study, we aim to assess the impact of various types of stigma on PLWHA's psychological status and concomitant substance use. We explored different types of HIV stigma with psychosocial well-being and substance use employing mixed effect models among 2,987 Chinese PLWHA. Multivariate analyses revealed that each type of HIV stigma is positively associated with psychosocial distress, but negatively related to resilience and self-esteem across all age groups of PLWHA, with enacted stigma showing the strongest impact. Stigmatized PLWHA are more likely to smoke and use drugs, especially among the < 35 and 35–49-year-old groups. Age-specific interventions should be implemented to enhance PLWHA's stigma coping skill for improving their psychological health and reducing substance use in China and worldwide.

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