Individual and community-level risk factors for HIV stigma in 21 Zambian and South African communities: analysis of data from the HPTN071 (PopART) study

Traditional healer support to improve HIV viral suppression in rural Uganda (Omuyambi): study protocol for a cluster randomized hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial

BACKGROUND

Rural African people living with HIV face significant challenges in entering and remaining in HIV care. In rural Uganda, for example, there is a threefold higher prevalence of HIV compared to the national average and lower engagement throughout the HIV continuum of care. There is an urgent need for appropriate interventions to improve entry and retention in HIV care for rural Ugandans with HIV. Though many adults living with HIV in rural areas prioritize seeking care services from traditional healers over formal clinical services, healers have not been integrated into HIV care programs. The Omuyambi trial is investigating the effectiveness of psychosocial support delivered by traditional healers as an adjunct to standard HIV care versus standard clinic-based HIV care alone. Additionally, we are evaluating the implementation process and outcomes, following the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research.

METHODS

This cluster randomized hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation trial will be conducted among 44 traditional healers in two districts of southwestern Uganda. Healers were randomized 1:1 into study arms, where healers in the intervention arm will provide 12 months of psychosocial support to adults with unsuppressed HIV viral loads receiving care at their practices. A total of 650 adults with unsuppressed HIV viral loads will be recruited from healer clusters in the Mbarara and Rwampara districts. The primary study outcome is HIV viral load measured at 12 months after enrollment, which will be analyzed by intention-to-treat. Secondary clinical outcome measures include (re)initiation of HIV care, antiretroviral therapy adherence, and retention in care. The implementation outcomes of adoption, fidelity, appropriateness, and acceptability will be evaluated through key informant interviews and structured surveys at baseline, 3, 9, 12, and 24 months. Sustainability will be measured through HIV viral load measurements at 24 months following enrollment.

DISCUSSION

The Omuyambi trial is evaluating an approach that could improve HIV outcomes by incorporating previously overlooked community lay supporters into the HIV cascade of care. These findings could provide effectiveness and implementation evidence to guide the development of policies and programs aimed at improving HIV outcomes in rural Uganda and other countries where healers play an essential role in community health.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05943548. Registered on July 5, 2023. The current protocol version is 4.0 (September 29, 2023).

Associations between HIV stigma and health-related quality-of-life among people living with HIV: cross-sectional analysis of data from HPTN 071 (PopART)

People living with HIV (PLHIV) report lower health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) than HIV-negative people. HIV stigma may contribute to this. We explored the association between HIV stigma and HRQoL among PLHIV. We used cross-sectional data from 3991 randomly selected PLHIV who were surveyed in 2017-2018 for HPTN 071 (PopART), a cluster randomised trial in Zambia and South Africa. Participants were 18-44 years, had laboratory-confirmed HIV infection, and knew their status. HRQoL was measured using the EuroQol-5-dimensions-5-levels (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaire. Stigma outcomes included: internalised stigma, stigma experienced in the community, and stigma experienced in healthcare settings. Associations were examined using logistic regression. Participants who had experienced community stigma (n = 693/3991) had higher odds of reporting problems in at least one HRQoL domain, compared to those who had not (adjusted odds ratio, aOR: 1.51, 95% confidence interval, 95% Cl: 1.16-1.98, p = 0.002). Having experienced internalised stigma was also associated with reporting problems in at least one HRQoL domain (n = 552/3991, aOR: 1.98, 95% CI: 1.54-2.54, p < 0.001). However, having experienced stigma in a healthcare setting was less common (n = 158/3991) and not associated with HRQoL (aOR: 1.04, 95% CI: 0.68-1.58, p = 0.850). A stronger focus on interventions for internalised stigma and stigma experienced in the community is required.

Prevalence of mental distress in adults with and without a history of tuberculosis in an urban Zambian community

People with tuberculosis (TB) are susceptible to mental distress. Mental distress can be driven by biological and socio-economic factors including poverty. These factors can persist beyond TB treatment completion yet there is minimal evidence about the mental health of TB survivors. A cross-sectional TB prevalence survey of adults was conducted in an urban community in Zambia. Survey participants were administered the five-item Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-5) mental health screening tool to measure mental distress. Associations between primary exposure (history of TB) and other co-variates with mental distress were investigated using logistic regression. Of 3,393 study participants, 120 were TB survivors (3.5%). The overall prevalence of mental distress (SRQ-5 ≥ 4) in the whole study population was 16.9% (95% CI 15.6%-18.1%). Previous TB history was not associated with mental distress (OR 1.20, 95% CI 0.75-1.92, p-value 1.66). Mental distress was associated with being female (OR 1.23 95% CI 1.00-1.51), older age (OR 1.71 95% CI 1.09-2.68) and alcohol abuse (OR 1.81 95% CI 1.19-2.76). Our findings show no association between a previous TB history and mental distress. However, approximately one in six people in the study population screened positive for mental distress.

"I don't know if you have searched through the scriptures to find a reference on HIV/AIDS. I mean there isn't going to be one, right?": HIV stigma solutions from dialogues between faith leaders and health care workers

In South African communities, both faith leaders and health care workers play a vital role in supporting the health of community members and people living with HIV in particular. This study describes HIV stigma when faith leaders and health care workers engaged in discourse. The study used a descriptive qualitative inquiry design. Data were gathered between 2015 and 2016 in the areas of Masiphumelele and Gugulethu in Cape Town, South Africa. Three themes emerged: (1) participants identified influences that can increase HIV stigma; (2) participants shared the challenges that they face to reduce HIV stigma; and (3) participants suggested solutions to reduce HIV stigma. Themes discussed include ground-level problems and practical solutions to address HIV stigma in faith communities. Collaboration between faith leaders and health care workers are vital resources in the fight against HIV stigma. Future research and interventions should aim to promote organised collaboration between faith communities and health care structures.

Advocacy for patients with headache disorders

Primary headache disorders are worldwide highly prevalent and burdensome and should be therefore considered as a global public health priority. However, too many patients with primary headache disorders still do not receive satisfying care. The most likely identified reasons for such a scenario - lack of public awareness, stigma, lack of trained professionals with inadequate healthcare systems and policies - are remediable. Despite the progresses that were made in headache advocacy, these efforts have not yielded substantial improvements in research funding or access to specialty care and even standards of care. The situation is more complex in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs) where headache advocacy is urgently needed given the magnitude of the difficulties that patients with primary headache disorders face in accessing care. The growing emergence of coordinated, collaborative, patient-centered advocacy efforts with improved patient-clinician partnership is an opportunity to enhance progress in advocacy for a satisfying life and optimal and equitable care for people with primary headache disorders. LMICs can benefit greatly from coordinating these efforts on a global scale. The recent organization of a training program on headache diagnosis and management for healthcare professionals in Africa is a concrete example.

Evaluating use of mass-media communication intervention 'MTV-Shuga' on increased awareness and demand for HIV and sexual health services by adolescent girls and young women in South Africa: an observational study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of exposure to MTV Shuga:Down South' (MTVShuga-DS) during the scale-up of combination HIV-prevention interventions on awareness and uptake of sexual reproductive health (SRH) and HIV-prevention services by adolescent girls and young women (AGYW).

DESIGN

One longitudinal and three cross-sectional surveys of representative samples of AGYW.

SETTING

AGYW in four South African districts with high HIV prevalence (>10%) (May 2017 and September 2019).

PARTICIPANTS

6311 AGYW aged 12-24.

MEASURES

Using logistic regression, we measured the relationship between exposure to MTV Shuga-DS and awareness of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), condom use at last sex, uptake of HIV-testing or contraception, and incident pregnancy or herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) infection.

RESULTS

Within the rural cohort 2184 (85.5%) of eligible sampled individuals were enrolled, of whom 92.6% had at least one follow-up visit; the urban cross-sectional surveys enrolled 4127 (22.6%) of eligible sampled individuals. Self-report of watching at least one MTV Shuga-DS episode was 14.1% (cohort) and 35.8% (cross-section), while storyline recall was 5.5% (cohort) and 6.7% (cross-section). In the cohort, after adjustment (for HIV-prevention intervention-exposure, age, education, socioeconomic status), MTVShuga-DS exposure was associated with increased PrEP awareness (adjusted OR (aOR) 2.06, 95% CI 1.57 to 2.70), contraception uptake (aOR 2.08, 95% CI 1.45 to 2.98) and consistent condom use (aOR 1.84, 95% CI 1.24 to 2.93), but not with HIV testing (aOR 1.02, 95% CI 0.77 to 1.21) or acquiring HSV-2 (aOR 0.92, 95% CI 0.61 to 1.38). In the cross-sections, MTVShuga-DS was associated with greater PrEP awareness (aOR 1.7, 95% CI 1.20 to 2.43), but no other outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Among both urban and rural AGYW in South Africa, MTVShuga-DS exposure was associated with increased PrEP awareness and improved demand for some HIV prevention and SRH technologies but not sexual health outcomes. However, exposure to MTVShuga-DS was low. Given these positive indications, supportive programming may be required to raise exposure and allow future evaluation of edu-drama impact in this setting.

HIV-related stigma, disclosure and social support: experiences among young pregnant and postpartum women living with HIV in South Africa

ABSTRACTYoung pregnant and postpartum women living with HIV (WLHIV) are at high risk of poor antiretroviral therapy (ART) outcomes, which may be driven partly by HIV-related stigma. We conducted in-depth interviews with 20 pregnant and postpartum WLHIV aged 19-24 years to understand how different forms of HIV-related stigma manifest in their lives, as well as their experiences of HIV-status disclosure and social support. Participants described profound levels of perceived stigma in their community, including gossip from other young women and judgement from older adults. Consequently, participants disclosed to a limited number of people to avoid being stigmatised, and disclosure to peers was especially uncommon. However, disclosure in certain situations was described as leading to emotional support and support for ART adherence, and disclosure to older WLHIV resulted in participants having a role model. Finally, participants expressed varied ways in which they accept, speak about, and live with their HIV diagnosis. These data provide a rich understanding of the experiences of HIV-related stigma in this population and point to the need for psychosocial interventions focussed on acceptance and coping with an HIV-positive diagnosis despite profound levels of perceived stigma, as well as navigating decisions around the targets and timing of disclosure.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04036851.

A post-outbreak assessment of exposure proximity and Ebola virus disease-related stigma among community members in Kono District, Sierra Leone: A cross-sectional study

Background

Based on findings from other contexts, informed by intergroup contact theory, that more contact is associated with less stigma, we hypothesized that community members with greater exposure to cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD) were less likely to report EVD-related stigma towards EVD survivors. We assessed personal stigmatizing attitudes towards Ebola survivors, which reflects personal fear and judgement, as well as perceived stigma towards EVD survivors, which reflects an individual's perception of the attitudes of the community towards a stigmatized group.

Methods

From September 2016 to July 2017, we conducted a cross-sectional, community-based study of EVD-related stigma among individuals who did not contract Ebola in four EVD-affected rural communities of Kono District, Sierra Leone. We identified individuals from all quarantined households and obtained a random sample of those who were unexposed. Exposed individuals either lived in a quarantined household or were reported to have been in contact with an EVD case. Our explanatory variable was proximity to an EVD case during the outbreak. Our primary outcome was stigma towards EVD survivors, measured by a 6-item adapted HIV-related stigma index validated in Zambia and South Africa, with 1 item reflecting personal stigmatizing attitudes and 5 items reflecting perceived community stigma. The 6-item EVD stigma index had good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.82). We used modified Poisson and negative binomial regression models, adjusting for potential confounders, to estimate the association between exposure proximity and EVD stigma.

Results

We interviewed 538 participants aged 12 to 85 years. Most (57%) had been quarantined. Over one-third (39%) reported personal stigmatizing attitudes or perceived community stigma; the most frequently endorsed item was fear and judgment towards EVD survivors. Having contact with someone with EVD was significantly associated with a lower likelihood of perceived community stigma (prevalence ratio [PR], 0.26; 95% CI, 0.13-0.54) and personal stigmatizing attitudes (PR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.29-0.65). In contrast, being quarantined was significantly associated with a higher likelihood of perceived community stigma (PR, 3.9; 95% CI, 1.5-10.1).

Conclusions

In this cross-sectional study, we found evidence of an inverse relationship between EVD-related stigma and contact with an EVD case. This finding substantiates intergroup contact theory and may form the basis for anti-stigma interventions.

HIV-related stigma experiences and coping strategies among pregnant women in rural Uganda: A qualitative descriptive study

Background

HIV-related stigma is a global problem among HIV clients with far-reaching effects including increased rates of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. However, HIV-related stigma experiences and coping strategies have received little attention, especially among pregnant women in rural settings. We explored the HIV-related stigma experiences and coping strategies among pregnant women in rural northern Uganda.

Methods

This was a qualitative descriptive study conducted among HIV-positive pregnant women seeking care at Aboke Health Center IV, Kole district, northern Uganda. We conducted 12 in-depth interviews using a semi-structured interview guide. Data were analyzed using the inductive thematic approach of Braun and Clarke.

Results

The age range of the 12 participants was 17 to 35 years while the average duration with HIV since diagnosis was five years. The majority of the participants were subsistence farmers who had attained a primary level of education. Social rejection and public ridicule were identified as HIV-related stigma experiences while ignoring, social support, and prayers were identified as HIV-related coping strategies among the study participants.

Conclusion

Enacted HIV-related stigma is common among pregnant women in rural northern Uganda. Healthcare providers should work closely with HIV-positive women and other stakeholders to identify and strengthen HIV-related stigma coping strategies among pregnant women in rural settings.

Social Support for Improved ART Adherence and Retention in Care among Older People Living with HIV in Urban South Africa: A Complex Balance between Disclosure and Stigma

The number of older people living with HIV (OPLWH) (aged 50-plus) in South Africa is increasing as people age with HIV or are newly infected. OPLWH are potentially vulnerable because of the intersection of age-related and HIV stigmas, co-morbidities, and lack of social support. Evidence from younger populations suggests that social support can improve ART adherence and retention in care. Further, HIV status disclosure plays a role in mediating social support and may reduce stigma by facilitating access to social support. This paper draws on qualitative research with OPLWH to explore the complex associations between disclosure, social support, and HIV stigma among OPLWH in urban Western Cape. The findings demonstrate that OPLWH receive most of their support from their family and this support can facilitate adherence to ART and retention in care. However, social support is facilitated by participants' disclosure, thus, when perceived stigma limits disclosure, social support is less accessible. Gender, age, and pre-existing vulnerability also affect disclosure to and support from kin and community. Given that social support, particularly from family members, amplifies HIV care access and ART adherence, encouraging disclosure stimulating household HIV competency is likely to both address anticipated stigma and support improved OPLWH's health outcomes.

Priorities for health and wellbeing for older people with and without HIV in Uganda: a qualitative methods study

Introduction

With improved HIV treatment availability in sub‐Saharan Africa, the population of older people with HIV (PWH) is growing. In this qualitative study, we intended to understand (1) the lived experiences of ageing people in rural Uganda, with and without HIV, (2) their fears and health priorities as they grow older.

Methods

We conducted 36 semi‐structured interviews with individuals with and without HIV in Mbarara, Uganda from October 2019 to February 2020. Interview guide topics included priorities in older age, physical functioning in daily activities, social functioning, HIV‐related stigma and the impact of multimorbidity on health and independence. Interviews were conducted in Runyankole, transcribed, translated and inductively coded thematically by two researchers with tests for inter‐coder reliability.

Results

The respondents were purposively sampled to be evenly divided by sex and HIV serostatus. The median age of respondents was 57 (49–73). Two‐thirds were married or cohabitating, 94% had biological children and 75% cited farming as their primary livelihood. Overall, PWH considered themselves as healthy or healthier than people without HIV (PWOH). PWH rarely considered their HIV status a barrier to a healthy life, but some reported a constant sense of anxiety as it relates to their long‐term health. Irrespective of HIV status, nearly all respondents noted concerns about memory loss, physical pain, reductions in energy and the effect of these changes on their ability to complete physical tasks like small‐scale farming, and activities of daily living important to the quality of life, such as participating in community groups. Increasing reliance on others for social, physical and financial support was also a common theme. The most prevalent health concern among participants involved the threat of non‐communicable diseases and perceptions that physical functioning may diminish.

Conclusions

In rural Uganda, we found that PWH consider themselves to be healthy and do not anticipate a different ageing experience from PWOH. Common priorities shared by both groups included the desire for physical and financial independence, health maintenance and social support for daily functioning and social needs. Entities supporting geriatric care in Uganda would benefit from attention to concerns about functional limitations and reported needs as people age with and without HIV.

Conceptualization, detection, and management of psychological distress and mental health conditions among people with tuberculosis in Zambia: a qualitative study with stakeholders' and TB health workers

BACKGROUND

In recent years, there has been increased recognition of the need to integrate mental health services into routine tuberculosis (TB) care. For successful integration, policymakers need to first understand the practices of TB health workers in the management of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and psychological distress, and use this to decide how best mental health services could be delivered in tandem with TB services. In this qualitative study we aimed to understand how TB health workers and other stakeholders viewed mental health conditions linked to TB and how they screened and treated these in their patients.

METHODS

The study draws on qualitative data collected in 2018 as part of the Tuberculosis Reduction through Expanded Antiretroviral Treatment and Screening for active TB trial (TREATS), conducted in eight urban communities in Zambia. Data were collected through 17 focus group discussions with local health committee members (n = 96) and TB stakeholders (n = 57) present in the communities. Further in-depth interviews were held with key TB health workers (n = 9). Thematic analysis was conducted.

RESULTS

TB stakeholders and health workers had an inadequate understanding of mental health and commonly described mental health conditions among TB patients by using stigmatizing terminology and overtones, for example "madness", which often implied a characterological flaw rather an actual illness. Psychological distress was also described as "overthinking", which participants attributed to psychosocial stressors, and was not perceived as a condition that would benefit from mental health intervention. There were no standard screening and treatment options for mental health conditions in TB patients and most TB health workers had no mental health training. TB Stakeholders and health workers understood the negative implications of mental health conditions on TB treatment adherence and overall wellbeing for TB patients.

CONCLUSIONS

TB stakeholders and health workers in Zambia have a complex conceptualisation of mental health and illness, that does not support the mental health needs of TB patients. The integration of mental health training in TB services could be beneficial and shift negative attitudes about mental health. Further, TB patients should be screened for mental health conditions and offered treatment. Trial registration number NCT03739736-Registered on the 14th of November 2018- Retrospectively registered- https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?cond=&term=NCT03739736&cntry=&state=&city=&dist.

A pretest-posttest design to assess the effectiveness of an intervention to reduce HIV-related stigma and discrimination in healthcare settings in Vietnam

Introduction

Stigma and discrimination are important barriers to HIV epidemic control. We implemented a multi‐pronged facility‐level intervention to reduce stigma and discrimination at health facilities across three high‐burden provinces. Key components of the intervention included measurement of stigma, data review and use, participatory training of healthcare workers (HCWs), and engagement of people living with HIV and key populations in all stigma reduction activities.

Methods

From July 2018 to July 2019, we assessed HIV‐related stigma and discrimination among patients and HCWs at 10 facilities at baseline and 9 months following an intervention. A repeated measures design was used to assess the change in stigma and discrimination among HCWs and a repeated cross‐sectional design assessed the change in stigma and discrimination experienced by PLHIV. HCWs at target facilities were invited at random and PLHIV were recruited when presenting for care during the two assessment periods. McNemar's test was used to compare paired proportions among HCWs, and chi‐square test was used to compare proportions among PLHIV. Mixed models were used to compare outcomes before and after the intervention.

Results

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 649 and 652 PLHIV prior to and following the intervention, respectively. At baseline, over the previous 12 months, 21% reported experiencing discrimination, 16% reported self‐stigma, 14% reported HIV disclosure without consent and 7% had received discriminatory reproductive health advice. Nine months after the intervention, there was a decrease in reported stigma and discrimination across all domains to 15%, 11%, 7% and 3.5%, respectively (all p‐values <0.05). Among HCWs, 672 completed the pre‐ and post‐intervention assessment. At baseline, 81% reported fear of HIV infection, 69% reported using unnecessary precautions when caring for PLHIV, 44% reported having observed other staff discriminate against PLHIV, 54% reported negative attitudes towards PLHIV and 41% felt uncomfortable working with colleagues living with HIV. The proportions decreased after the intervention to 52%, 34%, 32%, 35% and 24%, respectively (all p‐values <0.05).

Conclusions

A multi‐pronged facility‐level intervention was successful at reducing healthcare‐associated HIV‐related stigma in Vietnam. The findings support the scale‐up of this intervention in Vietnam and highlight key components potentially applicable in other settings.

HIV self-testing may overcome stigma and other barriers to HIV testing among higher-socioeconomic status men in Botswana: A qualitative study

In Botswana, HIV prevalence is 20.3% among those between 15 and 49 years old, and in sub-Saharan Africa, higher income has been associated with increased HIV risk. We qualitatively explored barriers to HIV testing and acceptability of HIV self-testing (HIVST) among higher socio-economic status (SES) men in Botswana. Twenty higher SES men (10 tested, 10 not tested recently) participated in semi-structured interviews and 10 men participated in asynchronous online focus groups (FGs) about HIV testing barriers and HIVST acceptability. Results indicated that stigma, inconvenience and perceived lack of confidentiality were barriers to HIV testing, as were masculinity-related concerns (e.g. fear of losing status if they accessed testing or were found to be HIV positive). Men said that HIVST reduced barriers to testing and that test kits could be placed in public spaces for pick-up and used in private. Overall, HIVST was seen as acceptable and feasible among higher SES men in Botswana.

Factors associated with high HIV-related stigma among commuter populations in Johannesburg, South Africa

Stigma remains an important barrier to seeking and staying in care among individuals infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Despite continued widespread information, education and communication campaigns to raise awareness about the infection. The aim of the study was to identify factors related to HIV stigma among a commuter population in the inner-city Johannesburg. A self-administered closed-ended questionnaire was loaded onto personal tablet computers during a community outreach campaign. The outcome was measured by asking the respondents to rate their perceptions of stigma as 'high or low'. About 1146 participants were enrolled in the study of which 585 (51.0%) reported high stigma levels. Overall, being married/cohabiting (Adjusted Prevalence Ratio (APR): 1.14 95%CI: 1.02-1.28), divorced (APR: 1.38 95%CI: 1.07-1.78), were associated with high levels of stigma; while being aware of HCT services (APR: 0.85 95%CI: 0.75-0.97) and employment status (APR: 0.78 95%CI: 0.71-0.87) were less likely associated with a high level of stigma. High HIV stigma still exists among those affected in our communities. Enhancement of health promotion intervention and reinforcing the benefits of knowing HIV status is essential to mitigate factors shown to influence stigma in the commuter population. Such an approach would help overcome stigma, an obstacle for expanding access to HIV testing and counselling.

Temporal trends in self-reported HIV stigma and association with adherence and viral suppression in the African Cohort Study

HIV stigma is a major barrier to HIV care and treatment among people living with HIV (PLWH). Evidence suggests that expansion in antiretroviral therapy (ART) may reduce stigma. However, there are limited longitudinal studies examining temporal trends in HIV stigma in sub-Saharan Africa in the Undetectable = Untransmittable (U = U) era. We longitudinally assessed temporal trends in self-reported experienced stigma and the association of experienced stigma with ART adherence and viral suppression among PLWH enrolled in the African Cohort Study (AFRICOS). AFRICOS is an ongoing cohort study enrolling PLWH in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Nigeria. As of 1 March 2020, 2937 PLWH enrolled in AFRICOS and had available data. In 2013, 22% of participants reported stigma at the enrollment visit and by 2018 the prevalence decreased to 1% overall and was below 2% for all countries. However, there was not a statistically significant change in stigma prevalence in our longitudinal models. In adjusted models, experiencing stigma was associated with a 0.67 decreased odds of ART Adherence (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.56-0.80) and a 0.64 decreased odds of viral suppression (95% CI: 0.73-0.99). HIV-associated stigma was associated with poor self-reported ART adherence and unsuppressed viral load.

Factors associated with HIV testing among traditional healers and their clients in rural Uganda: Results from a cross-sectional study

Uptake of HIV testing is suboptimal in Uganda, particularly in rural communities. Reaching UNAIDS 95-95-95 goals requires strategies to increase HIV testing among hard-to-reach populations. This cross-sectional study sought to characterize engagement with HIV testing among traditional healers and their clients in rural Uganda. We enrolled 175 traditional healers and 392 adult clients of healers in Mbarara District. The primary outcome for this study was having received an HIV test in the prior 12 months. Most clients (n = 236, 65.9%) had received an HIV test within 12 months, compared to less than half of healers (n = 75, 46.3%) who had not. In multivariate regression models, male clients of healers were half as likely to have tested in the past year, compared with female (adjusted odds ratios (AORs) = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.26-0.70). Increasing age negatively predicted testing within the past year (AOR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.93-0.97) for clients. Among healers, more sexual partners predicted knowing ones serostatus (AOR = 1.6, 95% CI 1.03-2.48). Healers (AOR = 1.16, 95% CI 1.07-1.26) and clients (AOR = 1.28, 95% CI 1.13-1.34 for clients) with greater numbers of lifetime HIV tests were more likely to have tested in the past year. Traditional healers and their clients lag behind UNAIDS benchmarks and would benefit from programs to increase HIV testing uptake.

Normative vs personal attitudes toward persons with HIV, and the mediating role of perceived HIV stigma in rural Uganda

BACKGROUND

HIV stigma has well-documented negative impacts on HIV testing, transmission risk behavior, initiation of and adherence to antiretroviral therapy, and retention in care. We sought to assess the extent to which anticipated HIV stigma is based on misperceptions of normative attitudes toward persons with HIV, and to determine whether persons with HIV have stronger misperceptions compared with HIV-negative persons or persons of unknown serostatus. We also sought to estimate the association between normative attitudes about persons with HIV and personal attitudes about persons with HIV, and to determine the extent to which anticipated stigma mediates this association.

METHODS

We conducted a whole-population survey of 1776 persons living in 8 rural villages in southwestern Uganda. Negative attitudes toward persons with HIV, and anticipated stigma, were measured using a newly validated 15-item scale measuring multiple dimensions of HIV stigma, including social distance, blaming attitudes, and concerns about reciprocity. We used multivariable regression to estimate the association between normative attitudes about persons with HIV and personal attitudes toward persons with HIV, and to determine the extent to which perceptions of normative attitudes (anticipated stigma) mediated this association.

RESULTS

Study participants believed that negative attitudes toward persons with HIV were more pervasive than they actually are. Perceptions of the extent to which these negative attitudes are normative mediated more than one-third of the association between normative attitudes and their personal attitudes. In contrast to what we originally hypothesized, persons with HIV were less likely to misperceive these norms and perceived normative attitudes to be less stigmatizing than did others in the general population.

CONCLUSIONS

Interventions designed to accurately describe normative attitudes toward persons with HIV may reduce HIV stigma without directly focusing on the educational components that are typically embedded in anti-stigma interventions.

Facing the quality of life: physical illness, anxiety, and depression symptoms among people living with HIV in rural Zambia - a cross-sectional study

Widespread access to ART has not improved the quality of life (QoL) for people living with HIV (PLHIV). We used the United Nations Disability project (UNPRPD) evaluation data to examine how physical illness, anxiety, and depression shape the QoL of PLHIV in households receiving the social cash transfers safety nets in Luapula, Zambia. We explored associations between each outcome - physical illness, anxiety, depression symptoms - and age, gender, poverty, hunger and disability, using univariable and multivariable regressions. We adjusted p-values for multiple hypothesis testing with sharpened Qs. The sample comprised 1925 respondents 16-55 years old, median age 31 (IQR 22-42 years), majority women (n = 1514, 78.6%). Two-thirds (1239, 64.4%) reported having a physical illness, a third (671, 34.9%) anxiety, and nine per cent (366) depression symptoms. More HIV positive people had a disability (34.6%, 53 versus 28.3%, 502; Q = 0.033), were physically ill (72.5%, 111 versus 63.7%, 1128; Q = 0.011), and two-fold (aOR 1.97 95% CI 1.31-2.94) more likely to report depression symptoms than HIV negative peers. Food insecurity and disability among PLHIV may worsen their physical illnesses, anxiety, depression symptoms, and other QoL domains. More research on the quality of life of PLHIV in poverty is required.

Does community-based distribution of HIV self-tests increase uptake of HIV testing? Results of pair-matched cluster randomised trial in Zambia

OBJECTIVES

Ending HIV by 2030 is a global priority. Achieving this requires alternative HIV testing strategies, such as HIV self-testing (HIVST) to reach all individuals with HIV testing services (HTS). We present the results of a trial evaluating the impact of community-based distribution of HIVST in community and facility settings on the uptake of HTS in rural and urban Zambia.

DESIGN

Pair-matched cluster randomised trial.

METHODS

In catchment areas of government health facilities, OraQuick HIVST kits were distributed by community-based distributors (CBDs) over 12 months in 2016-2017. Within matched pairs, clusters were randomised to receive the HIVST intervention or standard of care (SOC). Individuals aged ≥16 years were eligible for HIVST. Within communities, CBDs offered HIVST in high traffic areas, door to door and at healthcare facilities. The primary outcome was self-reported recent testing within the previous 12 months measured using a population-based survey.

RESULTS

In six intervention clusters (population 148 541), 60 CBDs distributed 65 585 HIVST kits. A recent test was reported by 66% (1622/2465) in the intervention arm compared with 60% (1456/2429) in SOC arm (adjusted risk ratio 1.08, 95% CI 0.94 to 1.24; p=0.15). Uptake of the HIVST intervention was low: 24% of respondents in the intervention arm (585/2493) used an HIVST kit in the previous 12 months. No social harms were identified during implementation.

CONCLUSION

Despite distributing a large number of HIVST kits, we found no evidence that this community-based HIVST distribution intervention increased HTS uptake. Other models of HIVST distribution, including secondary distribution and community-designed distribution models, provide alternative strategies to reach target populations.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT02793804).

Thetha Nami: participatory development of a peer-navigator intervention to deliver biosocial HIV prevention for adolescents and youth in rural South Africa

BACKGROUND

Despite effective biomedical tools, HIV remains the largest cause of morbidity/mortality in South Africa - especially among adolescents and young people. We used community-based participatory research (CBPR), informed by principles of social justice, to develop a peer-led biosocial intervention for HIV prevention in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).

METHODS

Between March 2018 and September 2019 we used CBPR to iteratively co-create and contextually adapt a biosocial peer-led intervention to support HIV prevention. Men and women aged 18-30 years were selected by community leaders of 21 intervention implementation areas (izigodi) and underwent 20 weeks of training as peer-navigators. We synthesised quantitative and qualitative data collected during a 2016-2018 study into 17 vignettes illustrating the local drivers of HIV. During three participatory intervention development workshops and community mapping sessions, the peer-navigators critically engaged with vignettes, brainstormed solutions and mapped the components to their own izigodi. The intervention components were plotted to a Theory of Change which, following a six-month pilot and process evaluation, the peer-navigators refined. The intervention will be evaluated in a randomised controlled trial ( NCT04532307 ).

RESULTS

Following written and oral assessments, 57 of the 108 initially selected participated in two workshops to discuss the vignettes and co-create the Thetha Nami (`talk to me'). The intervention included peer-led health promotion to improve self-efficacy and demand for HIV prevention, referrals to social and educational resources, and aaccessible youth-friendly clinical services to improve uptake of HIV prevention. During the pilot the peer-navigators approached 6871 young people, of whom 6141 (89%) accepted health promotion and 438 were linked to care. During semi-structured interviews peer-navigators described the appeal of providing sexual health information to peers of a similar age and background but wanted to provide more than just "onward referral". In the third participatory workshop 54 peer-navigators refined the Thetha Nami intervention to add three components: structured assessment tool to tailor health promotion and referrals, safe spaces and community advocacy to create an enabling environment, and peer-mentorship and navigation of resources to improve retention in HIV prevention.

CONCLUSION

Local youth were able to use evidence to develop a contextually adapted peer-led intervention to deliver biosocial HIV prevention.

Factors associated with external HIV-related stigma and psychological distress among people living with HIV in South Africa

BACKGROUND

HIV-related stigma and psychological distress among people living with HIV (PLHIV) pose a public health challenge in most African countries. This study aims to investigate the association between HIV-related stigmatizing attitudes and psychological distress amongst PLHIV in South Africa using the 2012 nationally representative population-based household survey.

METHODS

The data used in the analysis were collected using a multi-stage stratified cluster sampling design. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with stigma among PLHIV with psychological distress. A total of 2521 HIV positive individuals that responded to the question on psychological distress, 34.3% had psychological distress and 37.9% experienced high levels of HIV related stigmatizing attitudes. Stigmatizing attitudes among PLHIV with psychological distress were significantly less likely among those with secondary level education [aOR = 0.67 (95% CI: 0.44-1.01), p = 0.050], those with correct knowledge about HIV and rejection of myths about HIV [aOR = 0.58 (95% CI: 0.38-0.89), p = 0.013], and those who ever tested for HIV [aOR = 0.65 (95% CI: 0.42-1.01), p = 0.054].

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest a need to reinvigorate stigma-reduction interventions in the national HIV response with emphasis on HIV awareness and education campaigns. In addition, HIV testing services should be reinforced through communication strategies targeted against HIV stigmatization, discrimination and fear. There is also a need to continuously engage PLHIV in programs through counselling and support interventions for acceptance of HIV positive status and to help them cope with HIV-related stigma.

How 'place' matters for addressing the HIV epidemic: evidence from the HPTN 071 (PopART) cluster-randomised controlled trial in Zambia and South Africa

Background

In a cluster-randomised trial (CRT) of combination HIV prevention (HPTN 071 (PopART)) in 12 Zambian communities and nine South African communities, carried out from 2012 to 2018, the intervention arm A that offered HIV treatment irrespective of CD4 count did not have a significant impact on population level HIV incidence. Intervention arm B, where HIV incidence was reduced by 30%, followed national guidelines that mid trial (2016) changed from starting HIV treatment according to a CD4 threshold of 500 to universal treatment. Using social science data on the 21 communities, we consider how place (community context) might have influenced the primary outcome result.

Methods

A social science component documented longitudinally the context of trial communities. Data were collected through rapid qualitative assessment, interviews, group discussions and observations. There were a total of 1547 participants and 1127 observations. Using these data, literature and a series of qualitative analysis steps, we identified key community characteristics of relevance to HIV and triangulated these with HIV community level incidence.

Results

Two interdependent social factors were relevant to communities’ capability to manage HIV: stability/instability and responsiveness/resistance. Key components of stability were social cohesion; limited social change; a vibrant local economy; better health, education and recreational services; strong institutional presence; established middle-class residents; predictable mobility; and less poverty and crime. Key components of responsiveness were community leadership being open to change, stronger history of HIV initiatives, willingness to take up HIV services, less HIV-related stigma and a supported and enterprising youth population. There was a clear pattern of social factors across arms. Intervention arm A communities were notably more resistant and unstable. Intervention arm B communities were overall more responsive and stable.

Conclusions

In the specific case of the dissonant primary outcome results from the HPTN 071 (PopART) trial, the chance allocation of less stable, less responsive communities to arm A compared to arm B may explain some of the apparently smaller impact of the intervention in arm A. Stability and responsiveness appear to be two key social factors that may be relevant to secular trends in HIV incidence. We advocate for a systematic approach, using these factors as a framework, to community context in CRTs and monitoring HIV prevention efforts.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01900977. Registered on July 17, 2013.   

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13063-021-05198-5.

Changes over time in HIV testing and counselling uptake and associated factors among youth in Zambia: a cross-sectional analysis of demographic and health surveys from 2007 to 2018

INTRODUCTION

Zambia is among the countries with the highest HIV burden and where youth remain disproportionally affected. Access to HIV testing and counselling (HTC) is a crucial step to ensure the reduction of HIV transmission. This study examines the changes that occurred between 2007 and 2018 in access to HTC, inequities in testing uptake, and determinants of HTC uptake among youth.

METHODS

We carried out repeated cross-sectional analyses using three Zambian Demographic and Health Surveys (2007, 2013-14, and 2018). We calculated the percentage of women and men ages 15-24 years old who were tested for HIV in the last 12 months. We analysed inequity in HTC coverage using indicators of absolute inequality. We performed bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to identify predictors of HTC uptake in the last 12 months.

RESULTS

HIV testing uptake increased between 2007 and 2018, from 45 to 92% among pregnant women, 10 to 58% among non-pregnant women, and from 10 to 49% among men. By 2018 roughly 60% of youth tested in the past 12 months used a government health centre. Mobile clinics were the second most common source reaching up to 32% among adolescent boys by 2018. Multivariate analysis conducted among men and non-pregnant women showed higher odds of testing among 20-24 year-olds than adolescents (aOR = 1.55 [95%CI:1.30-1.84], among men; and aOR = 1.74 [1.40-2.15] among women). Among men, being circumcised (aOR = 1.57 [1.32-1.88]) and in a union (aOR = 2.44 [1.83-3.25]) were associated with increased odds of testing. For women greater odds of testing were associated with higher levels of education (aOR = 6.97 [2.82-17.19]). Education-based inequity was considerably widened among women than men by 2018.

CONCLUSION

HTC uptake among Zambian youth improved considerably by 2018 and reached 65 and 49% tested in the last 12 months for women and men, respectively. However, achieving the goal of 95% envisioned by 2020 will require sustaining the success gained through government health centres, and scaling up the community-led approaches that have proven acceptable and effective in reaching young men and adolescent girls who are less easy to reach through the government facilities.

HIV Stigma and Viral Suppression Among People Living With HIV in the Context of Universal Test and Treat: Analysis of Data From the HPTN 071 (PopART) Trial in Zambia and South Africa

BACKGROUND

The impact of HIV stigma on viral suppression among people living with HIV (PLHIV) is not well characterized.

SETTING

Twenty-one communities in Zambia and South Africa, nested within the HPTN 071 (PopART) trial.

METHODS

We analyzed data on viral suppression (<400 copies HIV RNA/mL) among 5662 laboratory-confirmed PLHIV aged 18-44 years who were randomly sampled within the PopART trial population cohort 24 months after enrolment (PC24). We collected data on experiences and internalization of stigma from those PLHIV who self-reported their HIV status (n = 3963/5662) and data on perceptions of stigma from a 20% random sample of all PLHIV (n = 1154/5662). We also measured stigma at the community-level among PLHIV, community members, and health workers. We analyzed the association between individual- and community-level measures of HIV stigma and viral suppression among PLHIV, adjusting for confounding.

RESULTS

Of all 5662 PLHIV, 69.1% were virally suppressed at PC24. Viral suppression was highest among those 3963 cohort participants who self-reported living with HIV and were on ART (88.3%), and lower among those not on treatment (37.5%). Self-identifying PLHIV who reported internalized stigma were less likely to be virally suppressed (75.0%) than those who did not (80.7%; adjusted risk ratio, 0.94 95% CI: 0.89 to 0.98). Experiences, perceptions, and community-level measures of stigma were not associated with viral suppression.

CONCLUSION

Internalized stigma among PLHIV was associated with a lower level of viral suppression; other dimensions of stigma were not. Stigma reduction approaches that address internalized stigma should be an integral component of efforts to control the HIV epidemic.

The effect of universal testing and treatment on HIV stigma in 21 communities in Zambia and South Africa

Objectives:

To assess the impact of a combination HIV prevention intervention including universal testing and treatment (UTT) on HIV stigma among people living with HIV, and among community members and health workers not living with HIV.

Design:

This HIV stigma study was nested in the HPTN 071 (PopART) trial, a three-arm cluster randomised trial conducted between 2013 and 2018 in 21 urban/peri-urban communities (12 in Zambia and nine in South Africa).

Methods:

Using an adjusted two-stage cluster-level analysis, controlling for baseline imbalances, we compared multiple domains of stigma between the trial arms at 36 months. Different domains of stigma were measured among three cohorts recruited across all study communities: 4178 randomly sampled adults aged 18–44 who were living with HIV, and 3487 randomly sampled adults and 1224 health workers who did not self-report living with HIV.

Results:

Prevalence of any stigma reported by people living with HIV at 36 months was 20.2% in arm A, 26.1% in arm B, and 19.1% in arm C (adjusted prevalence ratio, A vs. C 1.01 95% CI 0.49–2.08, B vs. C 1.34 95% CI 0.65–2.75). There were no significant differences between arms in any other measures of stigma across all three cohorts. All measures of stigma reduced over time (0.2--4.1% reduction between rounds) with most reductions statistically significant.

Conclusion:

We found little evidence that UTT either increased or decreased HIV stigma measured among people living with HIV, or among community members or health workers not living with HIV. Stigma reduced over time, but slowly.

ClinicalTrials.gov number:

NCT01900977.

Integrating and Interpreting Findings from the Latest Treatment as Prevention Trials

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

In 2018-2019, studies were published assessing the effectiveness of reducing HIV incidence by expanding HIV testing, linkage to HIV treatment, and assistance to persons living with HIV to adhere to their medications (the "90-90-90" strategy). These tests of "treatment as prevention" (TasP) had complex results.

RECENT FINDINGS

The TasP/ANRS 12249 study in South Africa, the SEARCH study in Kenya and Uganda, and one comparison (arms A to C) of the HPTN 071 (PopART) study in South Africa and Zambia did not demonstrate a community impact on HIV incidence. In contrast, the Botswana Ya Tsie study and the second comparison (arms B to C) of PopART indicated significant ≈ 30% reductions in HIV incidence in the intervention communities where TasP was expanded. We discuss the results of these trials and outline future research and challenges. These include the efficient expansion of widespread HIV testing, better linkage to care, and viral suppression among all persons living with HIV. A top implementation science priority for the next decade is to determine what strategies to use in specific local contexts.

Association between HIV stigma and antiretroviral therapy adherence among adults living with HIV: baseline findings from the HPTN 071 (PopART) trial in Zambia and South Africa

OBJECTIVES

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) leads to viral suppression for people living with HIV (PLHIV) and is critical for both individual health and reducing onward HIV transmission. HIV stigma is a risk factor that can undermine adherence. We explored the association between HIV stigma and self-reported ART adherence among PLHIV in 21 communities in the HPTN 071 (PopART) trial in Zambia and the Western Cape of South Africa.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data collected between 2013 and 2015, before the roll-out of trial interventions. Questionnaires were conducted, and consenting participants provided a blood sample for HIV testing. Poor adherence was defined as self-report of not currently taking ART, missing pills over the previous 7 days or stopping treatment in the previous 12 months. Stigma was categorised into three domains: community, health setting and internalised stigma. Multivariable logistic regression was used for analysis.

RESULTS

Among 2020 PLHIV self-reporting ever taking ART, 1888 (93%) were included in multivariable analysis. Poor ART adherence was reported by 15.8% (n = 320) of participants, and 25.7% (n = 519) reported experiencing community stigma, 21.5% (n = 434) internalised stigma, and 5.7% (n = 152) health setting stigma. PLHIV who self-reported previous experiences of community and internalised stigma more commonly reported poor ART adherence than those who did not (aOR 1.63, 95% CI 1.21 -2.19, P = 0.001 and aOR 1.31, 95% CI 0.96-1.79, P = 0.09).

CONCLUSIONS

HIV stigma was associated with poor ART adherence. Roll-out of universal treatment will see an increasingly high proportion of PLHIV initiated on ART. Addressing HIV stigma could make an important contribution to supporting lifelong ART adherence.

Development of parallel measures to assess HIV stigma and discrimination among people living with HIV, community members and health workers in the HPTN 071 (PopART) trial in Zambia and South Africa

INTRODUCTION

Integrating standardized measures of HIV stigma and discrimination into research studies of emerging HIV prevention approaches could enhance uptake and retention of these approaches, and care and treatment for people living with HIV (PLHIV), by informing stigma mitigation strategies. We sought to develop a succinct set of measures to capture key domains of stigma for use in research on HIV prevention technologies.

METHODS

From 2013 to 2015, we collected baseline data on HIV stigma from three populations (PLHIV (N = 4053), community members (N = 5782) and health workers (N = 1560)) in 21 study communities in South Africa and Zambia participating in the HPTN 071 (PopART) cluster-randomized trial. Forty questions were adapted from a harmonized set of measures developed in a consultative, global process. Informed by theory and factor analysis, we developed seven scales, with values ranging from 0 to 3, based on a 4-point agreement Likert, and calculated means to assess different aspects of stigma. Higher means reflected more stigma. We developed two measures capturing percentages of PLHIV who reported experiencing any stigma in communities or healthcare settings in the past 12 months. We validated our measures by examining reliability using Cronbach's alpha and comparing the distribution of responses across characteristics previously associated with HIV stigma.

RESULTS

Thirty-five questions ultimately contributed to seven scales and two experience measures. All scales demonstrated acceptable to very good internal consistency. Among PLHIV, a scale captured internalized stigma, and experience measures demonstrated that 22.0% of PLHIV experienced stigma in the community and 7.1% in healthcare settings. Three scales for community members assessed fear and judgement, perceived stigma in the community and perceived stigma in healthcare settings. Similarly, health worker scales assessed fear and judgement, perceived stigma in the community and perceived co-worker stigma in healthcare settings. A higher proportion of community members and health workers reported perceived stigma than the proportion of PLHIV who reported experiences of stigma.

CONCLUSIONS

We developed novel, valid measures that allowed for triangulation of HIV stigma across three populations in a large-scale study. Such comparisons will illuminate how stigma influences and is influenced by programmatic changes to HIV service delivery over time.

Understanding the Time Needed to Link to Care and Start ART in Seven HPTN 071 (PopART) Study Communities in Zambia and South Africa

To achieve UNAIDS 90:90:90 targets at population-level, knowledge of HIV status must be followed by timely linkage to care, initiation and maintenance of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for all people living with HIV (PLHIV). Interpreting quantitative patterns using qualitative data, we investigate time taken to link to care and initiate ART amongst individuals aware of their HIV-status in high HIV-prevalence urban communities in the HPTN 071 (PopART) study, a community-randomised trial of a combination HIV prevention package, including universal testing and treatment, in 21 communities in Zambia and South Africa. Data are drawn from the seven intervention communities where immediate ART irrespective if CD4 count was offered from the trial-start in 2014. Median time from HIV-diagnosis to ART initiation reduced after 2 years of delivering the intervention from 10 to 6 months in both countries but varied by gender and community of residence. Social and health system realities impact decisions made by PLHIV about ART initiation.

What causes non-adherence among some individuals on long term antiretroviral therapy? Experiences of individuals with poor viral suppression in Uganda

Background

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) use by people living with HIV reduces HIV transmission, morbidity, mortality, and improves quality of life. Good ART adherence is required to achieve these benefits. We investigated how the environmental, social, economic and behavioural experiences of people living with HIV with poor viral suppression could explain their non-adherence to long term ART.

Methods

This qualitative cross-sectional study was conducted in Uganda between September 2015 and April 2016. Thirty individuals on ART for 5 years or more (10 on first line and 20 on second line), with poor viral suppression, were randomly selected from a cohort of people living with HIV on ART. In-depth interviews about ART; awareness, adherence counselling, obstacles to daily adherence and regimen switches were conducted. Emerging themes from the interviews transcripts and field notes were identified and thematic content analysis done. Participants’ consent, compensation, confidentiality and study ethical approvals were ensured.

Results

We found that poor adherence to long term ART was due to: travel for work or social activities, stigma, receiving little or no continuous ART adherence education, alcohol consumption and use of alternative ‘HIV cure’ medicines. Other reasons included; ART side effects, treatment fatigue, belief that long-term ART or God can ‘cure HIV’, and food security.

Conclusions

Achieving optimal ART benefits requires continuous provision of ART adherence education to individuals on long term ART. This helps them overcome the challenges related to living with HIV: worries of food insecurity, alcohol misuse, economic hardship, and beliefs in HIV cures and use of unproven alternative HIV treatments. People living with HIV who travel require adherence support and larger quantities of ART refills to cover their time away.

"Being seen" at the clinic: Zambian and South African health worker reflections on the relationship between health facility spatial organisation and items and HIV stigma in 21 health facilities, the HPTN 071 (PopART) study

Health workers in 21 government health facilities in Zambia and South Africa linked spatial organisation of HIV services and material items signifying HIV-status (for example, coloured client cards) to the risk of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) ‘being seen’ or identified by others. Demarcated HIV services, distinctive client flow and associated-items were considered especially distinguishing. Strategies to circumvent any resulting stigma mostly involved PLHIV avoiding and/or reducing contact with services and health workers reducing visibility of PLHIV through alterations to structures, items and systems. HIV spatial organisation and item adjustments, enacting PLHIV-friendly policies and wider stigma reduction initiatives could combined reduce risks of identification and enhance the privacy of health facility space and diminish stigma.

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Spatial dimensions of stigma are linked to accessing HIV treatment in clinics.

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Distinct demarcation and client flow trigger visibility of People Living with HIV.

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Approaching HIV services carries a social risk of unwanted disclosure for PLHIV.

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Thoughtful spatial organisation and labelling reduces the chance of “being seen”.

Perceived HIV risk as a predictor of sexual risk behaviors and discrimination among high-risk women

HIV risk perception and discrimination are important determinants of HIV prevention among vulnerable populations. Using Detroit's 2016 National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS) Survey, we evaluated demographic variables, risk behaviors, and perception of HIV stigma and discrimination stratified by perceived HIV risk (high, medium, low) in a sample of high-risk women. Significant variables were identified using Pearson Chi-squared tests and one-way analysis of variance tests. Among 541 females surveyed, 93.0% were black and 87.7% lived in poverty. Women's poverty (p = .010), employment (p = .012), insurance (p = .024) and homelessness status (p < .001) were all significantly associated with their level of HIV risk perception. Among women with low HIV risk perception (76.7%), the majority did not know their partner's HIV status at last intercourse (68.7%, p = .007), had unprotected anal/vaginal sex in the past year (86.7%, p = .025), participated in sex exchange (63.4%, p < .001), and did not use condoms with a partner with HIV-unknown status (87.2%, p < .001). Half of the women agreed or strongly agreed most people would not be friends with someone with HIV (50.4%), and 46.3% agreed or strongly agreed most people would support PLWH to live or work where they want. Compared to women with low HIV risk perception, women with high perceived HIV risk were more likely to agree or strongly agree most people would discriminate against someone with HIV (87.3% vs. 76.8%) and that people who got HIV via sex exchange or drugs got what they deserve (46.6% vs. 25.8%). Women's perceived HIV risk was not significantly associated with these discriminatory attitudes. Despite multiple risk behaviors significantly associated with the level of perceived HIV risk in the sample, the NHBS survey demonstrates many women with high-risk behaviors still perceive themselves to be at low risk. Our findings highlight a complex interaction of risk perception, risk behaviors and stigma surrounding HIV in high-risk women.