Stigma-related disclosure concerns and negative self-image have not improved over a decade in older people with HIV
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View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.HIV stigma, including disclosure concerns and negative self-image, did not improve over 10 years in older adults with HIV. Stigma worsened for women and was lower in larger households and with depression.
Area Of Science
- Gerontology
- Infectious Diseases
- Psychiatry
Background
- Stigma significantly impacts the HIV care continuum, mental health, adherence, and quality of life for people with HIV (PWH).
- Longitudinal data on HIV stigma among aging PWH is limited, hindering targeted interventions.
Purpose Of The Study
- To prospectively analyze changes in HIV stigma measures over a 10-year period in older PWH.
- To identify sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with changes in HIV stigma over time.
Main Methods
- The AGEhIV Cohort Study prospectively followed PWH, assessing the full Berger HIV Stigma Scale (HSS) at baseline (T0) and two subscales (disclosure concerns, negative self-image) at 10-year follow-up (T1).
- Paired samples t-tests analyzed score changes over time.
- Linear regression and linear mixed models identified associated factors.
Main Results
- Disclosure concerns scores decreased minimally, while negative self-image scores remained stable over 10 years.
- No factors were associated with changes in disclosure concerns.
- Women showed significantly higher increases in negative self-image scores.
- Higher negative self-image was linked to attraction to both men and women and moderate to severe depressive symptoms.
- Both stigma domains were negatively associated with years since HIV diagnosis.
Conclusions
- HIV stigma, specifically disclosure concerns and negative self-image, did not improve in a cohort of older PWH over a decade.
- HIV stigma worsened among women and was associated with living in larger households and experiencing moderate to severe depression.
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