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Abu-Ba'are GR, Aidoo-Frimpong G, Amu-Adu P, Zigah EY, Stockton M, Amuah S, Amoh-Otoo RP, Nyblade L, Torpey K, Nelson LE. "One pastor advised him to stop taking HIV medication": Promoters and barriers to HIV care among gay, bisexual, and men who have sex with men living with HIV in Ghana. Res Sq 2024:rs.3.rs-4087718. [PMID: 38562846 PMCID: PMC10984093 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4087718/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Introduction Few studies examine Ghanaian gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) experience with HIV diagnoses and linkage to care. This article provides qualitative accounts of promoters and barriers to care among GBMSM living with HIV in Ghana. Methods We recruited and interviewed 10 GBMSM living with HIV in two Ghanaian cities. We transcribed the interviews, coded the data, and used thematic content analysis. Results We found that community and healthcare facility (HCF) level HIV and sexual stigma, confidentiality issues, alternative medicine, and substance use remain the key barriers to care. Other barriers include healthcare system issues such as long wait times and economic problems (e.g., health insurance and financial difficulties). Nonetheless, HCF-level factors such as positive experiences with providers, HIV counseling, and detailed medication information facilitate adherence to care among GBMSM. Conclusion This study highlights the need for interventions that address linkage to care issues, especially substance use, disinformation, and misinformation among GBMSM and other Ghanaian communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gamji Rabiu Abu-Ba'are
- Behavioral, Sexual and Global Health Lab, School of Nursing, University of Rochester Medical Center, University of Rochester
| | | | | | - Edem Yaw Zigah
- Behavioral, Sexual and Global Health Lab, School of Nursing, University of Rochester Medical Center, University of Rochester
| | | | - Samuel Amuah
- Youth Alliance for Health and Human Rights, YAHR
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Mlunde LB, Saalim K, Mbwambo JK, Kiwia P, Fitch E, Manyama W, Rugemalila I, Clay S, Lambdin BH, Stelmach RD, Bann C, Nyblade L. Adapting a health facility HIV stigma-reduction participatory training intervention to address drug use stigma in HIV care and treatment clinics in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Harm Reduct J 2024; 21:65. [PMID: 38491349 PMCID: PMC10941424 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-024-00965-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND HIV prevalence among people who use drugs (PWUD) in Tanzania is 4-7 times higher than in the general population, underscoring an urgent need to increase HIV testing and treatment among PWUD. Drug use stigma within HIV clinics is a barrier to HIV treatment for PWUD, yet few interventions to address HIV-clinic drug use stigma exist. Guided by the ADAPT-ITT model, we adapted the participatory training curriculum of the evidence-based Health Policy Plus Total Facility Approach to HIV stigma reduction, to address drug use stigma in HIV care and treatment clinics (CTCs). METHODS The first step in the training curriculum adaptation process was formative research. We conducted 32 in-depth interviews in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: 18 (11 men and 7 women) with PWUD living with HIV, and 14 with a mix of clinical [7] and non-clinical [7] CTC staff (5 men and 9 women). Data were analyzed through rapid qualitative analysis to inform initial curriculum adaptation. This initial draft curriculum was then further adapted and refined through multiple iterative steps of review, feedback and revision including a 2-day stakeholder workshop and external expert review. RESULTS Four CTC drug use stigma drivers emerged as key to address in the curriculum adaptation: (1) Lack of awareness of the manifestations and consequences of drug use stigma in CTCs (e.g., name calling, ignoring PWUD and denial of care); (2) Negative stereotypes (e.g., all PWUD are thieves, dangerous); (3) Fear of providing services to PWUD, and; (4) Lack of knowledge about drug use as a medical condition and absence of skills to care for PWUD. Five, 2.5-hour participatory training sessions were developed with topics focused on creating awareness of stigma and its consequences, understanding and addressing stereotypes and fears of interacting with PWUD; understanding drug use, addiction, and co-occurring conditions; deepening understanding of drug use stigma and creating empathy, including a panel session with people who had used drugs; and working to create actionable change. CONCLUSION Understanding context specific drivers and manifestations of drug use stigma from the perspective of PWUD and health workers allowed for ready adaptation of an existing evidence-based HIV-stigma reduction intervention to address drug use stigma in HIV care and treatment clinics. Future steps include a pilot test of the adapted intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda B Mlunde
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
| | | | - Jessie K Mbwambo
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Pfiriael Kiwia
- Kimara Peer Educators and Health Promoters, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | | | | | | | - Sue Clay
- 3C Regional Consultants, Lusaka, Zambia
| | | | | | - Carla Bann
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
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Dada D, Abu-Ba'are GR, Turner D, Mashoud IW, Owusu-Dampare F, Apreku A, Ni Z, Djiadeu P, Aidoo-Frimpong G, Zigah EY, Nyhan K, Nyblade L, Nelson LE. Scoping review of HIV-related intersectional stigma among sexual and gender minorities in sub-Saharan Africa. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e078794. [PMID: 38346887 PMCID: PMC10862343 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-078794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are disproportionately impacted by HIV and often face multiple HIV-related stigmas. Addressing these stigmas could reduce SGM HIV vulnerability but little is known about how the stigmas operate and intersect. Intersectional stigma offers a lens for understanding the experiences of stigmatised populations and refers to the synergistic negative health effects of various systems of oppression on individuals with multiple stigmatised identities, behaviours or conditions. This review aims to (1) assess how often and in what ways an intersectional lens is applied in HIV-related stigma research on SGM populations in SSA and (2) understand how intersectional stigma impacts HIV risk in these populations. DESIGN Scoping review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews. DATA SOURCES Public health and regional databases were searched in 2020 and 2022. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Articles in French and English on HIV-related stigma and HIV outcomes among men who have sex with men, women who have sex with women and/or transgender individuals in SSA. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS Articles were screened and extracted twice and categorised by use of an intersectional approach. Study designs and stigma types were described quantitatively and findings on intersectional stigma were thematically analysed. RESULTS Of 173 articles on HIV-related stigma among SGM in SSA included in this review, 21 articles (12%) applied an intersectional lens. The most common intersectional stigmas investigated were HIV and same-sex attraction/behaviour stigma and HIV, same-sex attraction/behaviour and gender non-conformity stigma. Intersectional stigma drivers, facilitators and manifestations were identified across individual, interpersonal, institutional and societal socioecological levels. Intersectional stigma impacts HIV vulnerability by reducing HIV prevention and treatment service uptake, worsening mental health and increasing exposure to HIV risk factors. CONCLUSION Intersectional approaches are gaining traction in stigma research among SGM in SSA. Future research should prioritise quantitative and mixed methods investigations, diverse populations and intervention evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debbie Dada
- School of Nursing, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- St Michael's Hospital Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gamji R Abu-Ba'are
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Behavioral, Sexual, and Global Health Lab, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Zhao Ni
- School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Pascal Djiadeu
- St Michael's Hospital Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- School of Public Health, University of Toronto Dalla Lana, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gloria Aidoo-Frimpong
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Edem Yaw Zigah
- Behavioral, Sexual, and Global Health Lab, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Kate Nyhan
- Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Laura Nyblade
- Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - LaRon E Nelson
- School of Nursing, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- St Michael's Hospital Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Hartmann M, Nyblade L, Otticha S, Marton T, Agot K, Roberts ST. The development of a conceptual framework on PrEP stigma among adolescent girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa. J Int AIDS Soc 2024; 27:e26213. [PMID: 38379129 PMCID: PMC10879468 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.26213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Stigma is a well-known barrier to HIV testing and treatment and is an emerging barrier to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use. To guide future research, measurement and interventions, we developed a conceptual framework for PrEP stigma among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in sub-Saharan Africa, a priority population for PrEP. METHODS A literature review, expert consultations and focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted to adapt the Health Stigma and Discrimination Framework, describing the stigmatization process nested within the socio-ecological framework. We reviewed all articles on PrEP stigma and on HIV, contraceptive or sexuality stigma among AGYW from 2009 to 2019. Expert consultations were conducted with 10 stigma or PrEP researchers and two Kenyan youth advisory boards to revise the framework. Finally, FGDs were conducted with AGYW PrEP users (4 FGDs; n = 20) and key influencers (14 FGDs; n = 72) in Kenya with the help of a Youth Research Team who aided in FGD conduct and results interpretation. Results from each phase were reviewed and the framework was updated to incorporate new and divergent findings. This was validated against an updated literature search from 2020 to 2023. RESULTS The conceptual framework identifies potential drivers, facilitators and manifestations of PrEP stigma, its outcomes and health impacts, and relevant intersecting stigmas. The main findings include: (1) PrEP stigma is driven by HIV, gender and sexuality stigmas, and low PrEP community awareness. (2) Stigma is facilitated by factors at multiple levels: policy (e.g. targeting of PrEP to high-risk populations), health systems (e.g. youth-friendly service availability), community (e.g. social capital) and individual (e.g. empowerment). (3) Similar to other stigmas, manifestations include labelling, violence and shame. (4) PrEP stigma results in decreased access to and acceptability of PrEP, limited social support and community resistance, which can impact mental health and decrease PrEP uptake and adherence. (5) Stigma may engender resilience by motivating AGYW to think of PrEP as an exercise in personal agency. CONCLUSIONS Our PrEP stigma conceptual framework highlights potential intervention targets at multiple levels in the stigmatization process. Its adoption would enable researchers to develop standardized measures and compare stigma across timepoints and populations as well as design and evaluate interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Hartmann
- Women's Global Health ImperativeRTI InternationalBerkeleyCaliforniaUSA
- Department of Global Public HealthKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - Laura Nyblade
- Women's Global Health ImperativeRTI InternationalBerkeleyCaliforniaUSA
| | | | - Tozoe Marton
- Women's Global Health ImperativeRTI InternationalBerkeleyCaliforniaUSA
| | - Kawango Agot
- Impact Research Development OrganizationKisumuKenya
| | - Sarah T. Roberts
- Women's Global Health ImperativeRTI InternationalBerkeleyCaliforniaUSA
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5
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Abu-Ba'are GR, Aidoo-Frimpong G, Stockton M, Zigah EY, Amuah S, Amu-Adu P, Amoh-Otoo RP, Nyblade L, Torpey K, Nelson LE. "I told myself, be bold and go and test": Motivators and barriers to HIV testing among gay, bisexual, and other cis-gender men who have sex with men in Ghana ‒ West Africa. PLOS Glob Public Health 2024; 4:e0002231. [PMID: 38206889 PMCID: PMC10783711 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Despite a disproportionately high burden of HIV, GBMSM in Ghana and sub-Saharan Africa often delay testing until the point of illness. However, limited studies examine factors that affect their participation in testing. We used qualitative in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) to collect insights into experiences, motivators, and barriers to HIV testing among GBMSM. Two community-based organizations used snowball and convenience sampling to recruit 10 GBMSM for IDIs and 8 to 12 for FGDs. We transcribed, coded, identified, and analyzed the relationship and commonalities between the participants' responses. Under experiences with testing, 1) fear of HIV infection created a stressful HIV testing experience, and 2) a friendly and supportive healthcare environment facilitated a positive experience in healthcare facilities. Motivators or facilitators of testing include 1) the perception or belief that HIV testing is an HIV prevention strategy; 2) encouragement from friends and peers; 3) understanding risk associated with certain sexual behaviors; 4) education or information on HIV; 5) access to free testing and incentives; 6) early symptoms and provider recommendation. Barriers to HIV testing include 1) negative community perceptions of HIV; 2) individual-level low-risk perception or indifference about HIV infection; 3) health system issues; 5) Perceived stigma at healthcare facilities. The findings point to the need to address critical issues around stigma, education, peer support, and healthcare resources through interventions and research to improve HIV testing among GBMSM in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gamji Rabiu Abu-Ba'are
- Behavioral, Sexual and Global Health Lab, School of Nursing, University of Rochester Medical Center, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States of America
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States of America
- Yale AIDS Prevention Program (Y-APT), Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, School of Public Health/Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Behavioral, Sexual and Global Health Lab, West Africa Site, Jama'a Action, West Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Gloria Aidoo-Frimpong
- Yale AIDS Prevention Program (Y-APT), Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, School of Public Health/Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Melissa Stockton
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Edem Yaw Zigah
- Behavioral, Sexual and Global Health Lab, West Africa Site, Jama'a Action, West Legon, Accra, Ghana
- Priorities on Rights and Sexual Health, Accra, Ghana
| | - Samuel Amuah
- Youth Alliance for Health and Human Rights, Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | | | - Laura Nyblade
- RTI International, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
| | - Kwasi Torpey
- Department of Population, Family & Reproductive Health, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon-Accra, Ghana
| | - LaRon E Nelson
- Yale AIDS Prevention Program (Y-APT), Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, School of Public Health/Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- School of Nursing, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
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6
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Aidoo-Frimpong G, Abu-Ba’are GR, Apreku A, Amoh-Otu RP, Zigah E, Amu-Adu P, Amuah S, Nyblade L, Torpey K, Nelson LE. "We have our reasons": Exploring the acceptability of pre-exposure prophylaxis among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Ghana. medRxiv 2023:2023.12.05.23299515. [PMID: 38105990 PMCID: PMC10723517 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.05.23299515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Ghanaian men who have sex with men (MSM) face significant HIV disparities. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a highly effective tool for HIV prevention. Previous studies on the perspectives of PrEP use among Ghanaian MSM identified high interest in PrEP among this population. However, the knowledge from the previous research, which was the best available evidence at the time, was primarily hypothetical because those data were collected before any real-world implementation of PrEP in Ghana. The purpose of the analysis is to identify and understand the factors currently influencing PrEP acceptance. We conducted a secondary analysis of focus group (n=8) data with Ghanaian MSM. Audio transcripts were subjected to descriptive thematic analysis. There was an almost universal awareness of PrEP, but inaccuracies about PrEP were common. PrEP acceptability was influenced by a mix of individual and intrapersonal factors. To bridge the gap between awareness, knowledge, and acceptability, HIV prevention programs should address access barriers and incorporate community-derived strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria Aidoo-Frimpong
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT
| | - Gamji Rabiu Abu-Ba’are
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT
- Behavioral, Sexual, and Global Health Lab, School of Nursing, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Amos Apreku
- Department of Population, Family & Reproductive Health, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon-Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Edem Zigah
- Priorities on Rights and Sexual Health, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Samuel Amuah
- Youth Alliance for Health and Human Rights, Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | - Kwasi Torpey
- Department of Population, Family & Reproductive Health, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon-Accra, Ghana
| | - LaRon E. Nelson
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT
- School of Nursing, Yale University, New Haven CT, USA
- Social and Behavioral Sciences Division, School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven CT, USA
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Bonner CP, Minnis AM, Ndirangu JW, Browne FA, Speizer I, Nyblade L, Ahmed K, Wechsberg WM. The Importance of the Individual in PrEP Uptake: Multilevel Correlates of PrEP Uptake Among Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Tshwane, South Africa. AIDS Behav 2023; 27:4124-4130. [PMID: 37439915 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-023-04126-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) account for 25% of new HIV infections in South Africa. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is approved by the South African Government, but the factors that promote PrEP uptake among AGYW are not well understood. This study examines multilevel factors associated with PrEP uptake among AGYW in six clinic catchment areas in Tshwane (Pretoria), South Africa. After consent/assent, PrEP-eligible AGYW (n = 448) completed a questionnaire assessing factors at the individual, network/interpersonal, and community levels and were prescribed PrEP in study clinics, if interested. A multivariable model, adjusting for clustering, assessed factors associated with PrEP uptake over a 9-month period. At the individual level, multiple partners in the past 3 months (OR = 0.47), perceived risk of HIV (OR = 0.71), and PrEP-related shame (OR = 0.63) were correlated with lower odds of PrEP uptake (ps ≤ 0.05). The findings highlight modifiable factors that should be addressed to support PrEP uptake efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney Peasant Bonner
- Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, 3040 East Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA.
| | | | - Jacqueline W Ndirangu
- Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, 3040 East Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Felicia A Browne
- Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, 3040 East Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Ilene Speizer
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Laura Nyblade
- Women's Global Health Imperative, RTI International, NC, USA
| | - Khatija Ahmed
- Setshaba Research Centre, Soshanguve, South Africa
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Dept of Medical Microbilogy, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Wendee M Wechsberg
- Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, 3040 East Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
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Mlunde LB, Hirschhorn LR, Nyblade L, Rothrock NE, Mbugi EV, Moskowitz JT, Kaaya S, Hawkins C, Leyna G, Mbwambo JK. Translation and cultural adaptation of drug use stigma and HIV stigma measures among people who use drugs in Tanzania. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0292642. [PMID: 37856437 PMCID: PMC10586607 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION People who use drugs (PWUD) experience stigma from multiple sources due to their drug use. HIV seroprevalence for PWUD in Tanzania is estimated to range from 18 to 25%. So, many PWUD will also experience HIV stigma. Both HIV and drug use stigma have negative health and social outcomes, it is therefore important to measure their magnitude and impact. However, no contextually and linguistically adapted measures are available to assess either HIV or drug use stigma among PWUD in Tanzania. In response, we translated and culturally adapted HIV and drug use stigma measures among Tanzanian PWUD and described that process in this study. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study. We translated and adapted existing validated stigma measures by following a modified version of Wild's ten steps for translation and adaptation. We also added new items on stigmatizing actions that were not included in the original measures. Following translation and back translation, we conducted 40 cognitive debriefs among 19 PWUD living with and 21 PWUD not living with HIV in Dar es Salaam to assess comprehension of the original and new items. For challenging items, we made adaptations and repeated cognitive debriefs among ten new PWUD participants where half of them were living with HIV. RESULTS Most of the original items (42/54, 78%), response options and all items with new 12 stigmatizing actions were understood by participants. Challenges included response options for a few items; translation to Swahili; and differences in participants' interpretation of Swahili words. We made changes to these items and the final versions were understood by PWUD participants. CONCLUSION Drug use and HIV stigma measures can successfully be translated and culturally adapted among Tanzanian PWUD living with and without HIV. We are currently conducting research to determine the stigma measures' psychometric properties and we will report the results separately.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda B. Mlunde
- Department of Community Health, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Lisa R. Hirschhorn
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Laura Nyblade
- Health Practice, RTI, International, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Nan E. Rothrock
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Erasto V. Mbugi
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Judith T. Moskowitz
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Sylvia Kaaya
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, School of Medicine, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Claudia Hawkins
- Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Germana Leyna
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Jessie K. Mbwambo
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
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Saalim K, Amu-Adu P, Amoh-Otu RP, Akrong R, Abu-Ba’are GR, Stockton MA, Vormawor R, Torpey K, Nyblade L, Nelson LE. Multi-level manifestations of sexual stigma among men with same-gender sexual experience in Ghana. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:166. [PMID: 36694150 PMCID: PMC9872747 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15087-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Sexual stigma and discrimination toward men who have same-gender sexual experiences are present across the globe. In Ghana, same-gender sexual desires and relationships are stigmatized, and the stigma is sanctioned through both social and legal processes. Such stigma negatively influences health and other material and social aspects of daily life for men who have sex with men (MSM). However, there is evidence that stigma at the interpersonal level can intersect with stigma that may be operating simultaneously at other levels. Few studies provide a comprehensive qualitative assessment of the multi-level sexual stigma derived from the direct narratives of men with same-gender sexual experience. To help fill this gap on sexual stigma, we qualitatively investigated [1] what was the range of sexual stigma manifestations, and [2] how sexual stigma manifestations were distributed across socioecological levels in a sample of Ghanaian MSM. From March to September 2020, we conducted eight focus group discussions (FGDs) with MSM about their experiences with stigma from Accra and Kumasi, Ghana. Data from the FGDs were subjected to qualitative content analysis. We identified a range of eight manifestations of sexual stigma: (1) gossiping and outing; (2) verbal abuse and intrusive questioning; (3) non-verbal judgmental gestures; (4) societal, cultural, and religious blaming and shaming; (5) physical abuse; (6) poor-quality services; (7) living in constant fear and stigma avoidance; and (8) internal ambivalence and guilt about sexual behavior. Sexual stigma manifestations were unevenly distributed across socioecological levels. Our findings are consistent with those of existing literature documenting that, across Africa, and particularly in Ghana, national laws and religious institutions continue to drive stigma against MSM. Fundamental anti-homosexual sentiments along with beliefs associating homosexuality with foreign cultures and immorality drive the stigmatization of MSM. Stigma experienced at all socioecological levels has been shown to impact both the mental and sexual health of MSM. Deeper analysis is needed to understand more of the lived stigma experiences of MSM to develop appropriate stigma-reduction interventions. Additionally, more community-level stigma research and interventions are needed that focus on the role of family and peers in stigma toward MSM in Ghana.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Melissa A. Stockton
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY USA
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY USA
| | | | | | | | - LaRon E. Nelson
- Yale School of Nursing, New Haven, CT USA
- Yale Institute for Global Health, New Haven, CT USA
- Yale Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, New Haven, CT USA
- Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT USA
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10
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Steward WT, Srinivasan K, Raj T, Heylen E, Nyblade L, Mazur A, Devadass D, Pereira M, Ekstrand ML. The Influence of Transmission-Based and Moral-Based HIV Stigma Beliefs on Intentions to Discriminate Among Ward Staff in South Indian Health Care Settings. AIDS Behav 2023; 27:189-197. [PMID: 35776252 PMCID: PMC9805471 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-022-03755-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
HIV stigma is comprised of several beliefs, including transmission fears and moral judgments against affected communities. We examined the relationships among HIV-related stigma beliefs, endorsement of coercive measures for people living with HIV (PLWH), and intentions to discriminate. We sought to understand to what degree the different stigma beliefs shape support for restrictive policies and discriminatory intentions. Data were drawn from the baseline assessment of DriSti, a cluster randomized controlled trial of an HIV stigma reduction intervention in Indian healthcare settings (NCT02101697). Participants completed measures assessing transmission fears and moral judgments of HIV, endorsement of coercive measures against PLWH (public disclosure of HIV status, refusal of healthcare services, marriage and family restrictions, required testing, and sharing of HIV information in a clinic), and intentions to discriminate against PLWH in professional and personal settings. We utilized multivariate regression modeling with backward elimination to identify the coercive measures and behavioral intentions most strongly associated with moral judgments. 1540 ward staff members completed the assessment. Participants had relatively high perceptions of transmission fears (M = 1.92, SD = 0.79) and moral judgments (M = 1.69, SD = 0.83); endorsed more intentions to discriminate in professional (M = 6.54, SD = 2.28) than personal settings (M = 2.07, SD = 1.49), and endorsed approximately half of all coercive measures (M = 9.47, SD = 2.68). After controlling for transmission fears, perceptions of stronger moral judgments against PLWH were significantly associated with higher endorsement of coercive measures related to refusing services (β = 0.10, t = 4.14, p < 0.001) and sharing patients' HIV status in clinics (β = 0.07, t = 3.04, p = 0.002), as well as with stronger behavioral intentions to discriminate in professional settings (β = 0.05, t = 2.20, p = 0.022). HIV stigma interventions for hospital-based ward staff in India need to focus on both transmission fears and moral judgments that underlie prejudicial beliefs. While the moral judgments are not technically related to risk in a hospital setting, our findings suggest that personnel will continue to discriminate in their professional work so long as these beliefs bear on their decisions and actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wayne T Steward
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Tony Raj
- St. Johns Research Institute, Bangalore, India
| | - Elsa Heylen
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Laura Nyblade
- International Development Group, Global Health Division, RTI International, DC, Washington, USA
| | - Amanda Mazur
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Maria L Ekstrand
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- St. Johns Research Institute, Bangalore, India.
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, Division of Prevention Science, University of California, San Francisco, 550 16th Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
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11
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Stockton MA, Kraemer J, Oga E, Kimani J, Mbote D, Kemunto C, Njuguna S, Nyblade L. Validation of a Brief Internalized Sex-work Stigma Scale among Female Sex Workers in Kenya. J Sex Res 2023; 60:146-152. [PMID: 34622725 PMCID: PMC8989712 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2021.1983752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Female sex workers (FSW) often face severe stigma and discrimination and are extremely vulnerable to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. In the fields of HIV and mental health, internalized stigma is associated with poor health care engagement. Due to the lack of valid, standardized measures for internalized sex work-related stigma, its dimensions and role are not well-understood. This study aimed to validate the six-item Internalized AIDS-Related Stigma Scale adapted to capture internalized sex work-related stigma by examining the scale's psychometric properties and performance among a cross-sectional, snowball sample of FSW (N = 497) in Kenya. While the original pre-hypothesized six-item model yielded acceptable CFI and SRMR values (CFI = 0.978 and SRMR = 0.038), the RMSEA was higher than desirable (RMSEA = 0.145). Our final four-item model demonstrated improved goodness of fit indices (RMSEA = 0.053; CFI = 0.999; and SRMR = 0.005). Both the pre-hypothesized six-item and reduced final four-item model demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's alphas of 0.8162 and 0.8754, respectively). Higher levels of internalized stigma were associated with depression, riskier sexual behavior, and reduced condom use. This very brief measure will allow for reliable assessment of internalized stigma among FSW. Further investigation of internalized stigma among male sex workers, particularly the intersection of sex work-related and same-sex behavior-related stigmas, is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa A. Stockton
- Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Department of Psychiatry, New York, USA
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, USA
| | - John Kraemer
- Department of Health Systems Administration, Georgetown University, Washington DC, USA
- Global Health Division, International Development Group, RTI International, Washington DC, USA
| | - Emmanuel Oga
- Center for Applied Public Health Research, RTI International, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Joshua Kimani
- Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, University of Nairobi, Nairobi; Kenya
| | - David Mbote
- Kuria Foundation for Social Enterprise, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | | | - Laura Nyblade
- Global Health Division, International Development Group, RTI International, Washington DC, USA
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Oga E, Stockton MA, Stewart C, Kraemer J, Kimani J, Mbote D, Njuguna S, Nyblade L. Validating a measure of anticipated sex work-related stigma among male and female sex workers in Kenya. Glob Public Health 2022; 17:3583-3595. [PMID: 35938397 PMCID: PMC10242293 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2022.2105377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Sex workers face different types of sex work-related stigma, which may include anticipated, perceived, experienced, or internalized stigma. Sex work stigma can discourage health care seeking and hamper STI and HIV prevention and treatment efforts. There is a paucity of validated sex work-related stigma measures, and this limits the ability to study the stigma associated with sex work. A cross-sectional survey was conducted that measured anticipated sex work-related stigma among male and female sex workers in Kenya (N = 729). We examined the construct validity and reliability of the anticipated stigma items to establish a conceptually and statistically valid scale. Our analysis supported a 15-item scale measuring five anticipated sex work stigma domains: gossip and verbal abuse from family; gossip and verbal abuse from healthcare workers; gossip and verbal abuse from friends and community; physical abuse; and exclusion. The scale demonstrated good face, content, and construct validity. Reliability was good for all subscales and the overall scale. The scale demonstrated good model fit statistics and good standardized factor loadings. The availability of valid and reliable stigma measures will enhance efforts to characterize and address stigma among sex workers and ultimately support the protection, health and well-being of this vulnerable population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Oga
- Center for Applied Public Health Research, RTI International, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Melissa A. Stockton
- Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Department of Psychiatry, New York, USA
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, USA
| | - Christin Stewart
- Global Health Division, International Development Group, RTI International, Washington DC, USA
| | - John Kraemer
- Global Health Division, International Development Group, RTI International, Washington DC, USA
- Department of Health Systems Administration, Georgetown University, Washington DC, USA
| | - Joshua Kimani
- Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, University of Nairobi, Nairobi; Kenya
| | - David Mbote
- Kuria Foundation for Social Enterprise, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Laura Nyblade
- Global Health Division, International Development Group, RTI International, Washington DC, USA
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Devadass D, Fernandez R, Raj TD, Heylen E, Nyblade L, Srinivasan K, Ekstrand ML. Standard Precautions are for everyone: The role of HIV stigma and implications for nursing education in India. J Nurs Educ Pract 2022; 12:69-76. [PMID: 36579144 PMCID: PMC9793881 DOI: 10.5430/jnep.v12n12p69] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Background and objective Standard Precautions (SP) are infection control procedures universally applicable to every patient. Though SP reduces disease transmission, their implementation is dependent on the knowledge and skills of healthcare workers (HCWs). Poor knowledge regarding the appropriate use of SP can cause fear among HCWs, leading to stigma and discrimination while treating people living with HIV (PLWH). Stigma and discrimination are known barriers for PLWH to access HIV care services. The aim of the study was to assess nursing student knowledge of SP, SP self-efficacy and SP perceived efficacy of nursing students, and (2) to assess the association between SP knowledge, perceived efficacy, and intention to utilize unwarranted precautions, like using double gloves while treating PLWH. Methods This paper analyzes baseline (non-randomized) data of a cluster randomized controlled trial amongst 1868 Indian nursing students. Data was collected using computer-administered structured questionnaire. The associations between the measures were done using multiple, logistic and poisson regression models. Results Although 97% nursing students could identify SP, only 35.5% understood that they need to be used with all patients. Awareness of the importance of using SP with all patients was positively associated with self-efficacy. Students performing high-risk tasks frequently were significantly more likely to be confident in their ability to correctly use SP, but also had higher intention to use unwarranted precautions. Conclusions Existing teaching and training programs for HCWs need to provide clear guidelines and emphasize on the correct use of SP with all patients. This will increase both skills and confidence in their abilities (self-efficacy).
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhinagaran Devadass
- Division of Medical Informatics, St. John’s Research Institute, St. John’s Medical College, Bengaluru, India,Correspondence: Dhinagaran Devadass; ; Address: Division of Medical Informatics, St. John’s Research Institute, St. John’s Medical College, Bengaluru, India
| | - Ryan Fernandez
- Division of Medical Informatics, St. John’s Research Institute, St. John’s Medical College, Bengaluru, India
| | - Tony D.S. Raj
- Division of Medical Informatics, St. John’s Research Institute, St. John’s Medical College, Bengaluru, India
| | - Elsa Heylen
- Department of Medicine, Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California San Francisco, USA
| | - Laura Nyblade
- Global Health Division, International Development Group, RTI International, USA
| | - Krishnamachari Srinivasan
- Division of Mental Health and Neurosciences, St. John’s Research Institute, St. John’s Medical College, Bengaluru, India
| | - Maria L. Ekstrand
- Department of Medicine, Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California San Francisco, USA,Division of Mental Health and Neurosciences, St. John’s Research Institute, St. John’s Medical College, Bengaluru, India
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Stangl AL, Atkins K, Leddy AM, Sievwright KM, Sevelius JM, Lippman SA, Veras MA, Zamudio-Haas S, Smith MK, Pachankis JE, Logie CH, Rao D, Weiser S, Nyblade L. What do we know about interventions to reduce intersectional stigma and discrimination in the context of HIV? A systematic review. Stigma and Health 2022. [DOI: 10.1037/sah0000414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Meek C, Mulenga DM, Edwards P, Inambwae S, Chelwa N, Mbizvo MT, Roberts ST, Subramanian S, Nyblade L. Health worker perceptions of stigma towards Zambian adolescent girls and young women: a qualitative study. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:1253. [PMID: 36253747 PMCID: PMC9575270 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08636-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The high prevalence of HIV among adolescent girls and young women aged 15–24 in Eastern and Southern Africa indicates a substantial need for accessible HIV prevention and treatment services in this population. Amidst this need, Zambia has yet to meet global testing and treatment targets among adolescent girls and young women living with HIV. Increasing access to timely, high-quality HIV services in this population requires addressing the intensified anticipated and experienced stigma that adolescent girls and young women often face when seeking HIV care, particularly stigma in the health facility setting. To better understand the multi-level drivers and manifestations of health facility stigma, we explored health workers’ perceptions of clinic- and community-level stigma against adolescent girls and young women seeking sexual and reproductive health, including HIV, services in Lusaka, Zambia. Methods We conducted 18 in-depth interviews in August 2020 with clinical and non-clinical health workers across six health facilities in urban and peri-urban Lusaka. Data were coded in Dedoose and thematically analyzed. Results Health workers reported observing manifestations of stigma driven by attitudes, awareness, and institutional environment. Clinic-level stigma often mirrored community-level stigma. Health workers clearly described the negative impacts of stigma for adolescent girls and young women and seemed to generally express a desire to avoid stigmatization. Despite this lack of intent to stigmatize, results suggest that community influence perpetuates a lingering presence of stigma, although often unrecognized and unintended, in health workers and clinics. Conclusions These findings demonstrate the overlap in health workers’ clinic and community roles and suggest the need for multi-level stigma-reduction approaches that address the influence of community norms on health facility stigma. Stigma-reduction interventions should aim to move beyond fostering basic knowledge about stigma to encouraging critical thinking about internal beliefs and community influence and how these may manifest, often unconsciously, in service delivery to adolescent girls and young women. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-022-08636-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Meek
- Center for Health Analytics, Media, and Policy, RTI International, Washington, DC, USA. .,Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | | | - Patrick Edwards
- Health Care Financing and Payment Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | | | | | | | - Sarah T Roberts
- Women's Global Health Imperative, RTI International, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Sujha Subramanian
- Public Health Research Division, RTI International, Waltham, MA, USA
| | - Laura Nyblade
- Global Health Division, RTI International, Washington, DC, USA
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16
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Nyblade L, Ndirangu JW, Speizer IS, Browne FA, Bonner CP, Minnis A, Kline TL, Ahmed K, Howard BN, Cox EN, Rinderle A, Wechsberg WM. Stigma in the health clinic and implications for PrEP access and use by adolescent girls and young women: conflicting perspectives in South Africa. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:1916. [PMID: 36242000 PMCID: PMC9563466 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-14236-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Globally, an urgent need exists to expand access to HIV prevention among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), but the need is particularly acute in sub-Saharan Africa. Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) offers an effective HIV prevention method. In many countries, however, accessing PrEP necessitates that AGYW visit their local health clinic, where they may face access challenges. Some countries have implemented youth-friendly services to reduce certain challenges in local health clinics, but barriers to access persist, including clinic stigma. However, evidence of clinic stigma toward AGYW, particularly with respect to PrEP service delivery, is still limited. This mixed methods study explores stigma toward AGYW seeking clinic services, in particular PrEP, from the perspective of both clinic staff (clinical and nonclinical) and AGYW who seek services at clinic sites in Tshwane province, South Africa. METHODS Six focus group discussions were conducted with AGYW (43 total participants) and four with clinic staff (42 total participants) and triangulated with survey data with AGYW (n = 449) and clinic staff (n = 130). Thematic analysis was applied to the qualitative data and descriptive statistics were conducted with the survey data. RESULTS Four common themes emerged across the qualitative and quantitative data and with both AGYW and clinic staff, although with varying degrees of resonance between these two groups. These themes included (1) clinic manifestations of stigma toward AGYW, (2) concerns about providing PrEP services for AGYW, (3) healthcare providers' identity as mothers, and (4) privacy and breaches of confidentiality. An additional theme identified mainly in the AGYW data pertained to stigma and access to healthcare. CONCLUSION Evidence is needed to inform strategies for addressing clinic stigma toward AGYW, with the goal of removing barriers to PrEP services for this group. While awareness has increased and progress has been achieved around the provision of comprehensive, youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services, these programs need to be adapted for the specific concerns of young people seeking PrEP services. Our findings point to the four key areas noted above where programs seeking to address stigma toward AGYW in clinics can tailor their programming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Nyblade
- grid.62562.350000000100301493Global Health Division, RTI International, Washington, DC USA
| | - Jacqueline W. Ndirangu
- grid.62562.350000000100301493Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC USA
| | - Ilene S. Speizer
- grid.10698.360000000122483208Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC USA
| | - Felicia A. Browne
- grid.62562.350000000100301493Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC USA ,grid.10698.360000000122483208Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC USA
| | - Courtney Peasant Bonner
- grid.62562.350000000100301493Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC USA ,grid.10698.360000000122483208Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC USA
| | - Alexandra Minnis
- grid.62562.350000000100301493Women’s Global Health Imperative, RTI International, Berkeley, CA USA ,grid.47840.3f0000 0001 2181 7878School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA USA
| | - Tracy L. Kline
- grid.62562.350000000100301493Social Statistics Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC USA
| | - Khatija Ahmed
- grid.477887.3Setshaba Research Centre, Tshwane, South Africa ,grid.49697.350000 0001 2107 2298Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Brittni N. Howard
- grid.62562.350000000100301493Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC USA
| | - Erin N. Cox
- grid.62562.350000000100301493Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC USA
| | - Abigail Rinderle
- grid.10698.360000000122483208Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC USA
| | - Wendee M. Wechsberg
- grid.62562.350000000100301493Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC USA ,grid.10698.360000000122483208Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC USA ,grid.40803.3f0000 0001 2173 6074Department of Psychology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC USA ,grid.26009.3d0000 0004 1936 7961Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC USA
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Budhwani H, Paulino-Ramírez R, Waters J, Bond CL, Ruiz I, Long DM, Varas-Díaz N, Naar S, Nyblade L, Turan JM. Adapting and pilot testing an HIV and intersectional stigma reducing intervention for Dominican Republic healthcare contexts: Protocol for translational research. Contemp Clin Trials Commun 2022; 29:100980. [PMID: 36060154 PMCID: PMC9434029 DOI: 10.1016/j.conctc.2022.100980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background This protocol details the adaptation and pilot testing of the Finding Respect and Ending Stigma around HIV (FRESH) intervention in Dominican Republic. FRESH is a healthcare setting stigma-reduction intervention designed to reduce stigmas affecting people living with HIV (PLHIV), focusing on HIV and intersectional stigmas experienced by sexual and gender minority (SGM) people living with HIV. After the successful adaptation of the FRESH intervention, it will be pilot-tested through the conduct of a pilot stepped wedge cluster randomized controlled trial. Methods Three aims are included in this study; Aim 1 includes exploratory qualitative assessment, specifically the conduct four focus groups with men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV (n = 24-32) and in-depth interviews with transgender women living with HIV to explore their experiences with stigma in clinics (n = 9-12). In-depth interviews will also be held with HIV healthcare workers to elucidate their perceptions and behaviors towards their SGM clients (n = 9-12). In Aim 2, informed by Aim 1 data, we will use the sequential phases of the ADAPT-ITT framework to iteratively adapt the FRESH intervention for the Dominican Republic. In Aim 3, the adapted intervention will be pilot-tested via a cluster stepped wedge randomized controlled trial to assess feasibility and acceptability of the intervention and study protocols. Conclusions If this pilot trial is successful, next steps will include testing the adapted intervention across Dominican Republic or in similar Spanish-speaking Caribbean nations in a larger trial to assess effectiveness in reducing stigma in clinical settings towards PLHIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henna Budhwani
- Florida State University, College of Nursing, Center of Population Sciences for Health Equity, Tallahassee, FL, United States
- Corresponding author. Florida State University, College of Nursing, Center of Population Sciences for Health Equity, 2010 Levy Avenue, Building B, Suite 3600, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, United States.
| | | | - John Waters
- Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC), Kingston, Jamaica
| | - Christyenne L. Bond
- Florida State University, College of Nursing, Center of Population Sciences for Health Equity, Tallahassee, FL, United States
| | - Ingrid Ruiz
- Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE), Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
| | - Dustin M. Long
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Public Health, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Nelson Varas-Díaz
- Florida International University, Department of Global and Sociocultural Studies, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Sylvie Naar
- Florida State University, Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine, Tallahassee, FL, United States
| | - Laura Nyblade
- Research Triangle Institute (RTI) International, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Janet M. Turan
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Public Health, Birmingham, AL, United States
- Koç University, School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
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Nyblade L, Stockton MA, Saalim K, Rabiu Abu‐Ba'are G, Clay S, Chonta M, Dada D, Mankattah E, Vormawor R, Appiah P, Boakye F, Akrong R, Manu A, Gyamerah E, Turner D, Sharma K, Torpey K, Nelson LE. Using a mixed-methods approach to adapt an HIV stigma reduction to address intersectional stigma faced by men who have sex with men in Ghana. J Int AIDS Soc 2022; 25 Suppl 1:e25908. [PMID: 35818873 PMCID: PMC9274363 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In Ghana, men who have sex with men (MSM) are estimated to be 11 times more likely to be living with HIV than the general population. Stigmas at the intersection of HIV, same-sex and gender non-conformity are potential key drivers behind this outsized HIV disease burden. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are essential to HIV prevention, care and treatment and can also be sources of stigma for people living with HIV and MSM. This article describes the process and results of adapting an evidence-based HIV stigma-reduction HCW training curriculum to address HIV, same-sex and gender non-conformity stigma among HCWs in the Greater Accra and Ashanti regions, Ghana. METHODS Six steps were implemented from March 2020 to September 2021: formative research (in-depth interviews with stigma-reduction trainers [n = 8] and MSM living with HIV [n = 10], and focus group discussions with HCWs [n = 8] and MSM [n = 8]); rapid data analysis to inform a first-draft adapted curriculum; a stakeholder adaptation workshop; triangulation of adaptation with HCW baseline survey data (N = 200) and deeper analysis of formative data; iterative discussions with partner organizations for further refinement; external expert review; and final adaptation with the teams of HCWs and MSM being trained to deliver the curriculum. RESULTS Key themes emerging under four immediately actionable drivers of health facility intersectional stigma (awareness, fear, attitudes and facility environment) informed the adaptation of the HIV training curriculum. Based on the findings, existing curriculum exercises were placed in one of four categories: (1) Expand-existing exercises that needed modifications to incorporate deeper MSM and gender non-conformity stigma content; (2) Generate-new exercises to fill gaps; (3) Maintain-exercises to keep with no modifications; and (4) Eliminate-exercises that could be dropped given training time constraints. New exercises were developed to address gender norms, the belief that being MSM is a mental illness and stigmatizing attitudes towards MSM. CONCLUSIONS Getting to the "heart of stigma" requires understanding and responding to both HIV and other intersecting stigma targeting sexual and gender diversity. Findings from this study can inform health facility stigma reduction programming not only for MSM, but also for other populations affected by HIV-related and intersectional stigma in Ghana and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Nyblade
- Global Health DivisionInternational Development GroupRTI InternationalWashingtonDCUSA
| | - Melissa A. Stockton
- Department of PsychiatryColumbia University Irving Medical CenterNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Khalida Saalim
- Global Health DivisionInternational Development GroupRTI InternationalWashingtonDCUSA
| | - Gamji Rabiu Abu‐Ba'are
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDSSchool of Public HealthYale UniversityNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Sue Clay
- 3C Regional ConsultantsZambiaAfrica
| | | | - Debbie Dada
- School of NursingYale UniversityNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Adom Manu
- Department of PopulationFamily & Reproductive HealthSchool of Public HealthUniversity of GhanaLegon‐AccraGhana
| | | | - DeAnne Turner
- College of NursingUniversity of South FloridaTampaFloridaUSA
| | - Karan Sharma
- Factor‐Inwentash Faculty of Social WorkUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Kwasi Torpey
- Department of PopulationFamily & Reproductive HealthSchool of Public HealthUniversity of GhanaLegon‐AccraGhana
| | - LaRon E. Nelson
- 3C Regional ConsultantsZambiaAfrica
- School of NursingYale UniversityNew HavenConnecticutUSA
- Yale Institute for Global HealthSchool of Public HealthNew HavenConnecticutUSA
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19
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Sievwright KM, Stangl AL, Nyblade L, Lippman SA, Logie CH, Veras MADSM, Zamudio-Haas S, Poteat T, Rao D, Pachankis JE, Kumi Smith M, Weiser SD, Brooks RA, Sevelius JM. An Expanded Definition of Intersectional Stigma for Public Health Research and Praxis. Am J Public Health 2022; 112:S356-S361. [PMID: 35763723 PMCID: PMC9241457 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2022.306718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kirsty M Sievwright
- Kirsty M. Sievwright and Anne Stangl are with the Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD. Laura Nyblade is with the Global Health Division, International Development Group, RTI International, Washington, DC. Sheri A. Lippman, Sophia Zamudio-Haas, Sheri Weiser, and Jae M. Sevelius are with the Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco. Carmen H. Logie is with the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. Maria Amélia Veras is with the Collective Health, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. Tonia Poteat is with the Department of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill. Deepa Rao is with the Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle. John E. Pachankis is with the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT. M. Kumi Smith is with the Department of Epidemiology & Community Health, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis. Ronald Brooks is with the Department of Family Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Anne L Stangl
- Kirsty M. Sievwright and Anne Stangl are with the Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD. Laura Nyblade is with the Global Health Division, International Development Group, RTI International, Washington, DC. Sheri A. Lippman, Sophia Zamudio-Haas, Sheri Weiser, and Jae M. Sevelius are with the Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco. Carmen H. Logie is with the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. Maria Amélia Veras is with the Collective Health, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. Tonia Poteat is with the Department of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill. Deepa Rao is with the Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle. John E. Pachankis is with the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT. M. Kumi Smith is with the Department of Epidemiology & Community Health, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis. Ronald Brooks is with the Department of Family Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Laura Nyblade
- Kirsty M. Sievwright and Anne Stangl are with the Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD. Laura Nyblade is with the Global Health Division, International Development Group, RTI International, Washington, DC. Sheri A. Lippman, Sophia Zamudio-Haas, Sheri Weiser, and Jae M. Sevelius are with the Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco. Carmen H. Logie is with the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. Maria Amélia Veras is with the Collective Health, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. Tonia Poteat is with the Department of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill. Deepa Rao is with the Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle. John E. Pachankis is with the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT. M. Kumi Smith is with the Department of Epidemiology & Community Health, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis. Ronald Brooks is with the Department of Family Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Sheri A Lippman
- Kirsty M. Sievwright and Anne Stangl are with the Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD. Laura Nyblade is with the Global Health Division, International Development Group, RTI International, Washington, DC. Sheri A. Lippman, Sophia Zamudio-Haas, Sheri Weiser, and Jae M. Sevelius are with the Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco. Carmen H. Logie is with the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. Maria Amélia Veras is with the Collective Health, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. Tonia Poteat is with the Department of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill. Deepa Rao is with the Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle. John E. Pachankis is with the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT. M. Kumi Smith is with the Department of Epidemiology & Community Health, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis. Ronald Brooks is with the Department of Family Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Carmen H Logie
- Kirsty M. Sievwright and Anne Stangl are with the Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD. Laura Nyblade is with the Global Health Division, International Development Group, RTI International, Washington, DC. Sheri A. Lippman, Sophia Zamudio-Haas, Sheri Weiser, and Jae M. Sevelius are with the Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco. Carmen H. Logie is with the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. Maria Amélia Veras is with the Collective Health, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. Tonia Poteat is with the Department of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill. Deepa Rao is with the Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle. John E. Pachankis is with the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT. M. Kumi Smith is with the Department of Epidemiology & Community Health, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis. Ronald Brooks is with the Department of Family Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Maria Amélia de Sousa Mascena Veras
- Kirsty M. Sievwright and Anne Stangl are with the Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD. Laura Nyblade is with the Global Health Division, International Development Group, RTI International, Washington, DC. Sheri A. Lippman, Sophia Zamudio-Haas, Sheri Weiser, and Jae M. Sevelius are with the Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco. Carmen H. Logie is with the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. Maria Amélia Veras is with the Collective Health, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. Tonia Poteat is with the Department of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill. Deepa Rao is with the Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle. John E. Pachankis is with the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT. M. Kumi Smith is with the Department of Epidemiology & Community Health, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis. Ronald Brooks is with the Department of Family Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Sophia Zamudio-Haas
- Kirsty M. Sievwright and Anne Stangl are with the Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD. Laura Nyblade is with the Global Health Division, International Development Group, RTI International, Washington, DC. Sheri A. Lippman, Sophia Zamudio-Haas, Sheri Weiser, and Jae M. Sevelius are with the Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco. Carmen H. Logie is with the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. Maria Amélia Veras is with the Collective Health, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. Tonia Poteat is with the Department of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill. Deepa Rao is with the Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle. John E. Pachankis is with the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT. M. Kumi Smith is with the Department of Epidemiology & Community Health, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis. Ronald Brooks is with the Department of Family Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Tonia Poteat
- Kirsty M. Sievwright and Anne Stangl are with the Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD. Laura Nyblade is with the Global Health Division, International Development Group, RTI International, Washington, DC. Sheri A. Lippman, Sophia Zamudio-Haas, Sheri Weiser, and Jae M. Sevelius are with the Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco. Carmen H. Logie is with the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. Maria Amélia Veras is with the Collective Health, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. Tonia Poteat is with the Department of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill. Deepa Rao is with the Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle. John E. Pachankis is with the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT. M. Kumi Smith is with the Department of Epidemiology & Community Health, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis. Ronald Brooks is with the Department of Family Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Deepa Rao
- Kirsty M. Sievwright and Anne Stangl are with the Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD. Laura Nyblade is with the Global Health Division, International Development Group, RTI International, Washington, DC. Sheri A. Lippman, Sophia Zamudio-Haas, Sheri Weiser, and Jae M. Sevelius are with the Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco. Carmen H. Logie is with the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. Maria Amélia Veras is with the Collective Health, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. Tonia Poteat is with the Department of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill. Deepa Rao is with the Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle. John E. Pachankis is with the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT. M. Kumi Smith is with the Department of Epidemiology & Community Health, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis. Ronald Brooks is with the Department of Family Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - John E Pachankis
- Kirsty M. Sievwright and Anne Stangl are with the Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD. Laura Nyblade is with the Global Health Division, International Development Group, RTI International, Washington, DC. Sheri A. Lippman, Sophia Zamudio-Haas, Sheri Weiser, and Jae M. Sevelius are with the Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco. Carmen H. Logie is with the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. Maria Amélia Veras is with the Collective Health, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. Tonia Poteat is with the Department of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill. Deepa Rao is with the Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle. John E. Pachankis is with the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT. M. Kumi Smith is with the Department of Epidemiology & Community Health, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis. Ronald Brooks is with the Department of Family Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - M Kumi Smith
- Kirsty M. Sievwright and Anne Stangl are with the Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD. Laura Nyblade is with the Global Health Division, International Development Group, RTI International, Washington, DC. Sheri A. Lippman, Sophia Zamudio-Haas, Sheri Weiser, and Jae M. Sevelius are with the Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco. Carmen H. Logie is with the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. Maria Amélia Veras is with the Collective Health, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. Tonia Poteat is with the Department of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill. Deepa Rao is with the Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle. John E. Pachankis is with the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT. M. Kumi Smith is with the Department of Epidemiology & Community Health, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis. Ronald Brooks is with the Department of Family Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Sheri D Weiser
- Kirsty M. Sievwright and Anne Stangl are with the Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD. Laura Nyblade is with the Global Health Division, International Development Group, RTI International, Washington, DC. Sheri A. Lippman, Sophia Zamudio-Haas, Sheri Weiser, and Jae M. Sevelius are with the Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco. Carmen H. Logie is with the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. Maria Amélia Veras is with the Collective Health, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. Tonia Poteat is with the Department of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill. Deepa Rao is with the Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle. John E. Pachankis is with the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT. M. Kumi Smith is with the Department of Epidemiology & Community Health, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis. Ronald Brooks is with the Department of Family Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Ronald A Brooks
- Kirsty M. Sievwright and Anne Stangl are with the Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD. Laura Nyblade is with the Global Health Division, International Development Group, RTI International, Washington, DC. Sheri A. Lippman, Sophia Zamudio-Haas, Sheri Weiser, and Jae M. Sevelius are with the Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco. Carmen H. Logie is with the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. Maria Amélia Veras is with the Collective Health, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. Tonia Poteat is with the Department of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill. Deepa Rao is with the Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle. John E. Pachankis is with the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT. M. Kumi Smith is with the Department of Epidemiology & Community Health, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis. Ronald Brooks is with the Department of Family Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Jae M Sevelius
- Kirsty M. Sievwright and Anne Stangl are with the Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD. Laura Nyblade is with the Global Health Division, International Development Group, RTI International, Washington, DC. Sheri A. Lippman, Sophia Zamudio-Haas, Sheri Weiser, and Jae M. Sevelius are with the Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco. Carmen H. Logie is with the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. Maria Amélia Veras is with the Collective Health, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. Tonia Poteat is with the Department of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill. Deepa Rao is with the Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle. John E. Pachankis is with the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT. M. Kumi Smith is with the Department of Epidemiology & Community Health, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis. Ronald Brooks is with the Department of Family Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
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20
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Lyons C, Bendaud V, Bourey C, Erkkola T, Ravichandran I, Syarif O, Stangl A, Chang J, Ferguson L, Nyblade L, Amon J, Iovita A, Janušonytė E, Looze P, Sprague L, Sabin K, Baral S, Murray SM. Global assessment of existing HIV and key population stigma indicators: A data mapping exercise to inform country-level stigma measurement. PLoS Med 2022; 19:e1003914. [PMID: 35192602 PMCID: PMC8903269 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stigma is an established barrier to the provision and uptake of HIV prevention, diagnostic, and treatment services. Despite consensus on the importance of addressing stigma, there are currently no country-level summary measures to characterize stigma and track progress in reducing stigma around the globe. This data mapping exercise aimed to assess the potential for existing data to be used to summarize and track stigma, including discrimination, related to HIV status, or key population membership at the country level. METHODS AND FINDINGS This study assessed existing indicators of stigma related to living with HIV or belonging to 1 of 4 key populations including gay men and other men who have sex with men, sex workers, people who use drugs, and transgender persons. UNAIDS Strategic Information Department led an initial drafting of possible domains, subdomains, and indicators, and a 3-week e-consultation was held to provide feedback. From the e-consultation, 44 indicators were proposed for HIV stigma; 14 for sexual minority stigma (including sexual behavior or orientation) related to men who have sex with men; 12 for sex work stigma; 10 for drug use stigma; and 17 for gender identity stigma related to transgender persons. We conducted a global data mapping exercise to identify and describe the availability and quality of stigma data across countries with the following sources: UNAIDS National Commitments and Policies Instrument (NCPI) database; Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS); Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS); People Living with HIV Stigma Index surveys; HIV Key Populations Data Repository; Integrated Biological and Behavioral Surveys (IBBS); and network databases. Data extraction was conducted between August and November 2020. Indicators were evaluated based on the following: if an existing data source could be identified; the number of countries for which data were available for the indicator at present and in the future; variation in the indicator across countries; and considerations of data quality or accuracy. This mapping exercise resulted in the identification of 24 HIV stigma indicators and 10 key population indicators as having potential to be used at present in the creation of valid summary measures of stigma at the country level. These indicators may allow assessment of legal, societal, and behavioral manifestations of stigma across population groups and settings. Study limitations include potential selection bias due to available data sources to the research team and other biases due to the exploratory nature of this data mapping process. CONCLUSIONS Based on the current state of data available, several indicators have the potential to characterize the level and nature of stigma affecting people living with HIV and key populations across countries and across time. This exercise revealed challenges for an empirical process reliant on existing data to determine how to weight and best combine indicators into indices. However, results for this study can be combined with participatory processes to inform summary measure development and set data collection priorities going forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carrie Lyons
- Epidemiology Department, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Christine Bourey
- Mental Health Department, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | | | - Ishwarya Ravichandran
- Epidemiology Department, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Omar Syarif
- Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Anne Stangl
- International Health Department, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Hera Solutions, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Judy Chang
- International Network of People Who Use Drugs (INPUD) Secretariat, London, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Ferguson
- Keck School of Medicine, USC Institute on Inequalities in Global Health, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Laura Nyblade
- Global Health Division, International Development Group, RTI International, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Joseph Amon
- Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Alexandrina Iovita
- Communities, Rights and Gender Department, The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Eglė Janušonytė
- International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Pim Looze
- Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Stefan Baral
- Epidemiology Department, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Sarah M. Murray
- Mental Health Department, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
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21
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Fernandez R, Raj TDS, Heylen E, Nyblade L, Devadass D, Srinivasan K, Ekstrand ML. Awareness of the Use of Standard Precautions during Care of People Living with HIV by Ward Attendants in Indian Hospitals. Indian J Community Med 2022; 47:142-146. [PMID: 35368470 PMCID: PMC8971887 DOI: 10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_1339_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Context: Standard precautions (SP) are infection prevention practices universally used during patient care to lower infection transmission. Aims: The aim of the study was to (1) assess Indian ward attendants' (WAs) knowledge, perceived efficacy, and self-efficacy regarding SP and (2) examine correlates of SP self-efficacy and intent to use unnecessary precautions during care of people living with HIV. Subjects and Methods: Data are sourced from a face-to-face baseline survey of a stigma-reduction trial among 1859 WAs from Indian hospitals. Percentages were used to describe categorical variables means and standard deviations for continuous variables. Multiple regressions examined associations between measures. Results: WAs who had heard of SP had 44% higher odds of confidently using SP than those who had not heard of them. Those aware of universal SP use were 43% more likely to feel confident in using SP but also reported greater intent to use unnecessary precautions. Conclusions: Hospitals could implement SP training for WAs, as their knowledge of universal use was lacking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Fernandez
- Division of Medical Informatics, St. John's Research Institute, St. John's Medical College, Bengaluru, India
| | - Tony D S Raj
- Division of Medical Informatics, St. John's Research Institute, St. John's Medical College, Bengaluru, India
| | - Elsa Heylen
- Department of Medicine, Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Laura Nyblade
- Global Health Division, International Development Group, RTI International, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Dhinagaran Devadass
- Division of Medical Informatics, St. John's Research Institute, St. John's Medical College, Bengaluru, India
| | - Krishnamachari Srinivasan
- Division of Mental Health and Neurosciences, St. John's Research Institute, St. John's Medical College, Bengaluru, India
| | - Maria L Ekstrand
- Department of Medicine, Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Division of Mental Health and Neurosciences, St. John's Research Institute, St. John's Medical College, Bengaluru, India
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22
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Nelson LE, Nyblade L, Torpey K, Logie CH, Qian HZ, Manu A, Gyamerah E, Boakye F, Appiah P, Turner D, Stockton M, Abubakari GM, Vlahov D. Multi-level intersectional stigma reduction intervention to increase HIV testing among men who have sex with men in Ghana: Protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0259324. [PMID: 34843529 PMCID: PMC8629287 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Men with have sex with men (MSM) in Africa face high levels of stigma due to elevated HIV exposure (actual or perceived), same-sex practices, and gender non-conformity. These stigmas are documented barriers to HIV prevention and treatment. Most stigma-reduction interventions have focused on single-level targets (e.g., health care facility level [HCF]) and addressed one type of stigma (e.g., HIV), without engaging the multiple intersecting stigmas that MSM encounter. Determining the feasibility and acceptability of multi-level intervention of reducing intersectional stigma and estimating its efficacy on increasing HIV testing are needed. Methods We proposed a mixed method study among MSM in Ghana. First, we will develop the intervention protocol using the Convergence Framework, which combines three interventions that were previously implemented separately in Ghana for reducing stigma at the HCF-level, increasing HIV testing at the peer group-level, and increasing peer social support at the individual-level. Then, we will conduct a cluster randomized controlled trial with four pairs of HCFs matched on staff size. HCFs within each pair are randomized to the HCF-level stigma-reduction intervention or control arm. MSM (n = 216) will be randomized to receive the group-level and individual-level interventions or standard of care control arm. MSM will be assigned to receive HIV testing at one of the HCFs that match their study assignment (intervention or control facility). The frequency of HIV testing between MSM in the study arms at 3 and 6 months will be compared, and the predictors of HIV testing uptake at the HCF, peer group and individual-levels will be assessed using multi-level regression models. Discussion These findings from this study will provide important evidence to inform a hybrid implementation-effectiveness trial of a public health intervention strategy for increasing HIV case detection among key populations in sub-Saharan African communities. Accurate information on HIV prevalence can facilitate epidemic control through more precise deployment of public health measures aimed at HIV treatment and viral load suppression, which eliminates risk of transmission. Trial registration This study was prospectively registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT04108078, on September 27, 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- LaRon E. Nelson
- School of Nursing, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States of America
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States of America
- Yale Institute for Global Health, School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Laura Nyblade
- RTI International, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Kwasi Torpey
- Department of Population, Family & Reproductive Health, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Carmen H. Logie
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Han-Zhu Qian
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States of America
| | - Adom Manu
- Department of Population, Family & Reproductive Health, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Emma Gyamerah
- Educational Assessment & Research Center, Accra, Ghana
| | | | | | - DeAnne Turner
- College of Nursing, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States of America
| | - Melissa Stockton
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Gamji M. Abubakari
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States of America
| | - David Vlahov
- School of Nursing, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States of America
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23
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Edwards PV, Roberts ST, Chelwa N, Phiri L, Nyblade L, Mulenga D, Brander C, Musheke M, Mbizvo M, Subramanian S. Perspectives of Adolescent Girls and Young Women on Optimizing Youth-Friendly HIV and Sexual and Reproductive Health Care in Zambia. Front Glob Womens Health 2021; 2:723620. [PMID: 34816241 PMCID: PMC8594040 DOI: 10.3389/fgwh.2021.723620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Youth-friendly health care delivery models are needed to address the complex health care needs of adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). The aim of this study is to explore the lived experiences of AGYW seeking comprehensive HIV and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care and to elicit their preferences for integrated health care services. We conducted in-depth interviews and focus group discussions in Lusaka, Zambia among 69 AGYW aged 10-20 who were HIV-negative or of unknown status and 40 AGYW aged 16-24 living with HIV. The data were coded through deductive and inductive processes and analyzed thematically using modified World Health Organization (WHO) dimensions of quality for youth-friendly services. AGYW expressed preference for one-stop clinics with integrated services that could provide HIV services along with other services such as pregnancy testing and family planning. AGYW also wanted information on staying healthy and approaches to prevent disease which could be delivered in the community setting such as youth clubs. An integrated clinic should address important attributes to AGYW including short wait time, flexible opening hours, assurance of confidentiality and positive staff attitudes. Youth-friendly, integrated care delivery models that incorporate AGYW preferences may foster linkages to care and improve outcomes among vulnerable AGYW.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick V Edwards
- Comprehensive Health Research Division, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Sarah T Roberts
- Women's Global Health Imperative, RTI International, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | | | | | - Laura Nyblade
- Global Health Division, RTI International, Washington, DC, United States
| | | | | | | | | | - Sujha Subramanian
- Comprehensive Health Research Division, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
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Abubakari GM, Dada D, Nur J, Turner D, Otchere A, Tanis L, Ni Z, Mashoud IW, Nyhan K, Nyblade L, Nelson LE. Intersectional stigma and its impact on HIV prevention and care among MSM and WSW in sub-Saharan African countries: a protocol for a scoping review. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e047280. [PMID: 34362801 PMCID: PMC8351482 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-047280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Research has established that various forms of stigma (HIV stigma, gender non-conforming stigma and same-gender sex stigma) exist across Sub-Saharan Africa and have consequences for the utilisation of HIV prevention and care services. Stigmas are typically investigated in HIV literature individually or through investigating individual populations and the various stigmas they may face. The concept of intersectionality highlights the interconnected nature of social categorisations and their ability to create interdependent systems of discrimination based on gender, race, sexuality and so on. Drawing from perspectives on intersectionality, intersectional stigma denotes the convergence of multiple marginalised identities within an individual or a group, the experiences of stigma associated with these identities as well as the synergistic impact of these experiences on health and well-being. With respect to HIV, public health scholars can examine the impacts of intersectional stigmas on HIV prevention and care utilisation. METHODS AND ANALYSIS Reviewers will search systematically through MEDLINE, Global Health, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection and Africa Index Medicus and citations for quantitative studies, qualitative studies and grey literature that include data on stigma and HIV among men who have sex with men and women who have sex with women in Sub-Saharan Africa. Eligible studies will include primary or secondary data on stigma related to HIV risk factors experienced by this population. Studies will be written in French or English and be published between January 1991 and November 2020. All screening and data extraction will be performed in duplicate, and if discrepancies arise, they will be settled by GM'RA, LEN, DD or AO. Findings from this study will be reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethics approval is not required as there will be no human participants and no protected data will be used in this study. We will disseminate findings through peer-reviewed manuscripts, conferences and webinars.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gamji M'Rabiu Abubakari
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Debbie Dada
- Yale University School of Nursing, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- St Michael's Hospital Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jemal Nur
- St Michael's Hospital Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - DeAnne Turner
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Amma Otchere
- Yale University School of Nursing, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Leonne Tanis
- Yale University School of Nursing, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Zhao Ni
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | | | - Kate Nyhan
- Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Laura Nyblade
- Global Health Division, International Development Group RTI, Internation, New York, New York, USA
| | - LaRon E Nelson
- Yale University School of Nursing, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- St Michael's Hospital Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Logie CH, Earnshaw V, Nyblade L, Turan J, Stangl A, Poteat T, Nelson L, Baral S. A scoping review of the integration of empowerment-based perspectives in quantitative intersectional stigma research. Glob Public Health 2021; 17:1451-1466. [PMID: 34061710 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2021.1934061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The genesis of the concept of intersectionality was a call to dismantle interlocking systems of oppression - racial, sexual, heterosexual, and class-based - in order to realise liberation of Black women and other women of colour. Intersectionality holds the radical potential to amplify collective efficacy, community solidarity, and liberation. The extension of intersectionality into stigma research has resulted in an increased focus on intersectional stigma in quantitative research. This raises questions regarding how the radical and liberatory potential of intersectionality is applied in stigma research. Specifically, empowerment-based perspectives may be overlooked in quantitative intersectional stigma research. We conducted a scoping review to document if and how empowerment-based perspectives were included in intersectional stigma quantitative studies. We identified and included 32 studies in this review that examined varied stigmas, most commonly related to race, gender, HIV and sexual orientation. In total 13/32 (40.6%) of these studies reported on empowerment-based factors; most of these examined social support and/or resilience. Taken together, findings suggest that the quantitative intersectional stigma research field would benefit from expansion of concepts studied to include activism and solidarity, as well as methodological approaches to identify the protective roles of empowerment-based factors to inform health and social justice-related programmes and policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen H Logie
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Toronto, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Canada.,Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Valerie Earnshaw
- College of Education & Human Development, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
| | | | - Janet Turan
- Department of Health Care, Organization and Policy, School of Public Health, University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | | | - Tonia Poteat
- Department of Social Medicine, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - LaRon Nelson
- Yale School of Nursing, Yale University School of Nursing, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Stefan Baral
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Relf MV, L Holzemer W, Holt L, Nyblade L, Ellis Caiola C. A Review of the State of the Science of HIV and Stigma: Context, Conceptualization, Measurement, Interventions, Gaps, and Future Priorities. J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care 2021; 32:392-407. [PMID: 33654005 PMCID: PMC9208366 DOI: 10.1097/jnc.0000000000000237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Stigma is a fundamental cause of health inequities. As such, stigma is a major barrier to HIV prevention, care, and treatment. This review will examine the concept of stigma, explicating the mechanisms of action of HIV-related stigma while also examining intersectional stigma and structural stigma. Instruments to measure HIV-related stigma and its mechanisms of action, as well as stigma enacted and experienced by HIV health care providers, will also be reviewed. This article will conclude with a review of stigma interventions, gaps in the literature, and priorities for future HIV, intersectional, and structural stigma research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael V Relf
- Michael V. Relf, PhD, RN, AACRN, ACNS-BC, CNE, ANEF, FAAN, is Associate Dean for Global and Community Health Affairs, Duke University School of Nursing, and Associate Research Professor, Duke Global Health Institute, Durham, North Carolina, USA. William L. Holzemer, PhD, RN, FAAN, is Distinguished Professor and Dean Emeritus, Rutgers University School of Nursing, Newark, New Brunswick, & Blackwood, New Jersey, USA. Lauren Holt, MSN, RN, is a PhD Student, Duke University School of Nursing, Durham, North Carolina, USA. Laura Nyblade, PhD, is Fellow and Senior Technical Advisor, Stigma and Discrimination, Research Triangle International, Washington, DC, USA. Courtney Ellis Caiola, PhD, MPH, RN, CNE, is Assistant Professor, East Carolina University, College of Nursing, Greenville, North Carolina, USA
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27
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Roberts ST, Edwards P, Mulenga D, Chelwa N, Nyblade L, Brander C, Musheke M, Mbizvo M, Subramanian S. Family Support for Adolescent Girls and Young Women Living With HIV in Zambia: Benefits, Challenges, and Recommendations for Intervention Development. J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care 2021; 32:160-173. [PMID: 33332869 PMCID: PMC7914154 DOI: 10.1097/jnc.0000000000000225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Lack of family involvement is barrier to antiretroviral therapy adherence among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). This study assessed family support for AGYW's engagement along the HIV care continuum to inform the design of a family-focused intervention in Lusaka, Zambia. We conducted 16 in-depth interviews and four focus group discussions with 40 AGYW living with HIV. Three strategies were identified to strengthen family support. First, emotional and instrumental support are highly valued by AGYW and should be further developed or reinforced. Second, AGYW wanted more informational support and open discussion of HIV from family, and an intervention should aim to enhance these types of support. Third, existing appraisal support reinforced anticipated stigma among AGYW and discouraged disclosure, yet participants wished for more interactions with peers living with HIV. Appraisal support should therefore be reframed to help AGYW decide to whom they should disclose and how to do so safely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah T Roberts
- Sarah T. Roberts, PhD, MPH, is a Research Epidemiologist, Women's Global Health Imperative, RTI International, Berkeley, California, USA. Patrick Edwards, MSc, is an Economist, Health Care Financing and Payment Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA. Drosin Mulenga, BSW, is a Program Officer, Population Council, Lusaka, Zambia. Nachela Chelwa, MPH, is a Monitoring, Evaluation and Implementation Research Manager, Population Council, Lusaka, Zambia. Laura Nyblade, PhD, is an RTI Fellow and Senior Technical Advisor on Stigma and Discrimination, Global Health Division, RTI International, Washington, District of Columbia, USA. Caila Brander, MSc, is a Health Researcher and Global Health Corp Fellow, Population Council, Lusaka, Zambia. Maurice Musheke, PhD, is a Social and Operations Research Manager, Population Council, Lusaka, Zambia. Michael Mbizvo, PhD, is a Senior Associate & Zambia Country Director, Population Council, Lusaka, Zambia. Sujha Subramanian, PhD, is a Senior Fellow, Public Health Research Division, RTI International, Waltham, Massachusetts, USA
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Nyblade L, Srinivasan K, Raj T, Oga EA, Heylen E, Mazur A, Devadass D, Steward WT, Pereira M, Ekstrand ML. HIV Transmission Worry Predicts Discrimination Intentions Among Nursing Students and Ward Staff in India. AIDS Behav 2021; 25:389-396. [PMID: 32804318 PMCID: PMC7855682 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-020-03001-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Health facility stigma impedes HIV care and treatment. Worry of contracting HIV while caring for people living with HIV is a key driver of health facility stigma, however evidence for this relationship is largely cross-sectional. This study evaluates this relationship longitudinally amongst nursing students and ward staff in India. Worry of contracting HIV and other known predictors of intent to discriminate were collected at baseline and 6 months in 916 nursing students and 747 ward staff. Using fixed effects regression models, we assessed the effect of key predictors on intent to discriminate over a 6-month period. Worry of contracting HIV predicted intent to discriminate for nursing students and ward staff in care situations with low and high-risk for bodily fluid exposure, confirming prior cross-sectional study results and underscoring the importance of addressing worry of contracting HIV as part of health facility HIV stigma-reduction interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Nyblade
- Global Health Division, International Development Group, RTI International, 13th St., NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC, 20005, USA.
| | - Krishnamachari Srinivasan
- St. Johns Research Institute, St. John's National Academy of Health Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Tony Raj
- St. Johns Research Institute, St. John's National Academy of Health Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Emmanuel A Oga
- Center for Applied Public Health Research, RTI International, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Elsa Heylen
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Amanda Mazur
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Dhinagaran Devadass
- St. Johns Research Institute, St. John's National Academy of Health Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Wayne T Steward
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Matilda Pereira
- St. Johns Research Institute, St. John's National Academy of Health Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Maria L Ekstrand
- St. Johns Research Institute, St. John's National Academy of Health Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Srinivasan K, Heylen E, Raj T, Nyblade L, Devadass D, Pereira M, Ekstrand ML. Reduction in Stigma Drivers Partially Mediates the Effect of a Stigma Reduction Intervention Among Nursing Students in India: The DriSti Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2021; 86:182-190. [PMID: 33105394 PMCID: PMC7884286 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000002543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND HIV stigma in health care settings acts as a significant barrier to health care. Stigma drivers among health professionals include transmission fears and misconceptions and pre-existing negative attitudes toward marginalized groups vulnerable to HIV. The DriSti intervention, consisted of 2 sessions with videos and interactive exercises on a computer tablet and one interactive face-to-face group session, mostly tablet administered, was designed to target key stigma drivers that included instrumental stigma, symbolic stigma, transmission misconceptions and blame to reduce HIV stigma, and discrimination among nursing students (NS) and ward staff and tested in a cluster randomized trial. SETTING This report focuses on second and third year NS recruited from a range of nursing schools that included private, nonprofit, and government-run nursing schools in south India. RESULTS Six hundred seventy-nine NS received intervention and 813 NS were in the wait-list control group. Twelve months outcome analyses showed significant reduction among intervention participants in endorsement of coercive policies (P < 0.001) and in the number of situations in which NS intended to discriminate against PLWH (P < 0.001). Mediation analysis revealed that the effects of intervention on endorsement of coercive policies and intent to discriminate against PLWH were partially mediated by reductions in key stigma drivers. CONCLUSIONS This brief scalable stigma reduction intervention targeting key stigma drivers fills a critical gap in identifying the mechanistic pathways that aid in stigma reduction among health professionals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishnamachari Srinivasan
- Division of Mental Health and Neurosciences, St John's Research Institute and St. John's Medical College, Bangalore, India
| | - Elsa Heylen
- Division of Prevention Sciences, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA
| | - Tony Raj
- Division of Medical Informatics, St John's Research Institute, and St. John's Medical College, Bangalore, India; and
| | - Laura Nyblade
- Global Health Division, International Development Group, RTI International, Washington, DC
| | - Dhinagaran Devadass
- Division of Medical Informatics, St John's Research Institute, and St. John's Medical College, Bangalore, India; and
| | - Matilda Pereira
- Division of Prevention Sciences, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA
| | - Maria L Ekstrand
- Division of Prevention Sciences, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA
- Division of Medical Informatics, St John's Research Institute, and St. John's Medical College, Bangalore, India; and
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30
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Nyblade L, Mingkwan P, Stockton MA. Stigma reduction: an essential ingredient to ending AIDS by 2030. Lancet HIV 2021; 8:e106-e113. [PMID: 33539757 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(20)30309-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 will require addressing stigma more systematically and at a larger scale than current efforts. Existing global evidence shows that stigma is a barrier to achieving each of the 90-90-90 targets; it undermines HIV testing, linkage to care, treatment adherence, and viral load suppression. However, findings from both research studies and programmatic experience have helped to inform the growing body of knowledge regarding how to reduce stigma, leading to key principles for HIV stigma reduction. These principles include immediately addressing actionable drivers of stigma, centring groups affected by stigma at the core of the response, and engaging opinion leaders and building partnerships between affected groups and opinion leaders. Although there is still room to strengthen research on stigma measurement and reduction, in particular for intersectional stigma, the proliferation of evidence over the past several decades on how to measure and address stigma provides a solid foundation for immediate and comprehensive action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Nyblade
- Global Health Division, International Development Group, Research Triangle Institute, Washington, DC, USA.
| | - Pia Mingkwan
- Global Health Division, International Development Group, Research Triangle Institute, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Melissa A Stockton
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
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Mbote DK, Nyblade L, Kemunto C, Giger K, Kimani J, Mingkwan P, Njuguna S, Oga E, Kraemer JD. Police Discrimination, Misconduct, and Stigmatization of Female Sex Workers in Kenya: Associations with Delayed and Avoided Health Care Utilization and Lower Consistent Condom Use. Health Hum Rights 2020; 22:199-212. [PMID: 33390707 PMCID: PMC7762893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Discrimination and violence against sex workers by police are common in many populations and are associated with negative health outcomes, as well as being per se violations of human rights laws and norms. There is a close and mutually reinforcing nexus between legally actionable rights violations and stigma, and reducing human rights violations against sex workers likely requires both legal and societal interventions that address both. In this paper, we first aim to estimate levels of discrimination, violence, and stigma against women sex workers by police in Kenya. Second, we aim to estimate the association between manifestations of discrimination and stigma, on the one hand, and general health care utilization and consistent condom use, on the other. Using data from a survey of Kenyan sex workers, we document widespread discrimination and stigma. Through regression analyses, participants with the highest levels of all three categories of manifestations of discrimination and stigma reported significant lower consistent condom use. Those with the highest levels of witnessed/heard manifestations were significantly more likely to delay or avoid needed health care, and the highest level of experienced manifestations were associated with a marginally significant increase in delay or avoidance. Our findings document a plethora of violations of human rights obligations under Kenyan and international law.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Kuria Mbote
- Independent researcher and Director at the Kuria Foundation for Social Enterprise, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Laura Nyblade
- Fellow and Senior Technical Advisor, Stigma and Discrimination, RTI International, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - Kayla Giger
- Public Health Analyst at RTI International, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Joshua Kimani
- Clinical Director at Partners for Health and Development in Africa and Lecturer at the Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Pia Mingkwan
- Research Associate at RTI International, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Stella Njuguna
- Research Officer at the Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Emmanuel Oga
- Senior Epidemiologist at RTI International, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - John D. Kraemer
- Associate Professor in the Department of Health Systems Administration at Georgetown University and Visiting Scholar at RTI International, Washington, DC, USA
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Wechsberg WM, Browne FA, Ndirangu J, Bonner CP, Minnis AM, Nyblade L, Speizer IS, Howard BN, Myers B, Ahmed K. The PrEPARE Pretoria Project: protocol for a cluster-randomized factorial-design trial to prevent HIV with PrEP among adolescent girls and young women in Tshwane, South Africa. BMC Public Health 2020; 20:1403. [PMID: 32933510 PMCID: PMC7490774 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-09458-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite increased prevention efforts, HIV remains the leading cause of death among adolescent girls and young women in South Africa. Although research indicates important determinants of HIV acquisition at the individual and interpersonal levels, structural-level stigma and discrimination continue to be critical barriers to reaching and retaining this key population for HIV prevention and sexual and reproductive health services. Innovative and multilevel interventions are needed that can address the intersectional structural and gender issues that young women face, including stigma, alcohol and drug use, gender-based violence, and other risk factors when seeking health services. Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) taken daily has been found to be an effective biomedical HIV prevention tool. Testing a comprehensive gender-focused biobehavioral HIV prevention intervention that is inclusive of social ecological determinants, such as stigma and discrimination reduction in clinics, is critical for reducing HIV among adolescent girls and young women. METHODS This project involves both a Community Collaborative Board and a Youth Advisory Board in helping to adapt the Young Women's Health CoOp intervention and the Health Policy Project (HPP) Stigma and Discrimination (S&D) reduction training curriculum to the setting and population. This study uses a two-by-two factorial design with stratified randomization of 12 clinics, each with distinct catchment areas. The Young Women's Health CoOp addresses substance use, sexual risk, violence prevention and sexual negotiation, condom demonstration, and problem solving with the following additions: knowledge of PrEP, the importance of PrEP adherence, and sexual and reproductive health. Adolescent girls and young women will be assessed with behavioral and biological measures at baseline, 3-, 6- and 9-month follow-up. The S&D reduction training is provided for all staff in the clinics randomized to this condition. Clinic staff will be surveyed at baseline, 4- and 8-month follow-up. We will recruit 900 AGYW from communities in the 12 clinic catchment areas. DISCUSSION The study findings, if efficacious across the outcomes, will be incorporated into the gender-focused HIV prevention intervention toolkit and disseminated to inform multilevel prevention approaches. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov. Identifier: NCT04048551 (Recruiting). Registered: August 7, 2019 (Retrospectively registered).
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendee M Wechsberg
- Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, 3040 E. Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709-2194, USA. .,Maternal and Child Health, University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, 135 Dauer Drive, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA. .,Department of Psychology, North Carolina State University, 640 Poe Hall, Campus Box 7650, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA. .,Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, 40 Duke Medicine Circle, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
| | - Felicia A Browne
- Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, 3040 E. Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709-2194, USA.,Health Behavior, University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, 135 Dauer Drive, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Jacqueline Ndirangu
- Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, 3040 E. Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709-2194, USA
| | - Courtney Peasant Bonner
- Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, 3040 E. Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709-2194, USA
| | - Alexandra M Minnis
- Center for Global Health, RTI International, 2150 Shattuck Avenue, Suite 800, Berkeley, CA, 94704, USA.,Epidemiology Division, Berkeley School of Public Health, University of California, 2121 Berkeley Way, Room 5302, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Laura Nyblade
- International Global Health Division, International Development Group, RTI International, 701 13th Street NW #750, Washington, DC, 20005, USA
| | - Ilene S Speizer
- Maternal and Child Health, University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, 135 Dauer Drive, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Brittni N Howard
- Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, 3040 E. Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709-2194, USA
| | - Bronwyn Myers
- Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research Unit, Medical Research Council Francie van Zijl Drive, Parow Valley, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Khatija Ahmed
- Setshaba Research Centre, 2088 Block H, Soshanguve, 0152, South Africa
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Oga EA, Kraemer J, Stewart C, Mbote D, Njuguna S, Stockton M, Nyblade L. Experienced sex-work stigma in male and female sex workers in Kenya: Development and validation of a scale. Stigma and Health 2020. [DOI: 10.1037/sah0000205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Stockton MA, Pence BW, Mbote D, Oga EA, Kraemer J, Kimani J, Njuguna S, Maselko J, Nyblade L. Associations among experienced and internalized stigma, social support, and depression among male and female sex workers in Kenya. Int J Public Health 2020; 65:791-799. [PMID: 32347313 DOI: 10.1007/s00038-020-01370-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 03/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study (1) estimated the association between experienced sex work-related stigma and moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms (hereafter depression), (2) examined independent associations between internalized stigma, experienced stigma, and depression among sex workers, and (3) investigated the potential modifying role of social support. METHODS A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 729 male and female sex workers in Kenya. RESULTS The prevalence of depression was 33.9%, and nearly all participants reported at least one of the experienced and internalized stigma items. Increasing levels of experienced stigma was associated with an increased predicted prevalence of depression [aPD 0.15 (95% CI 0.11-0.18)]. Increasing internalized stigma was independently associated with higher experienced stigma and depression and appeared to account for 25.5% of the shared variance between experienced stigma and depression after adjustment for confounders. Social support from same-sex sex workers did not appear to modify the association between experienced stigma and depression. CONCLUSIONS Addressing the high levels of stigma that sex workers face and their mental health needs should be a public health and human rights imperative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa A Stockton
- Epidemiology Department, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - Brian W Pence
- Epidemiology Department, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - David Mbote
- Kuria Foundation for Social Enterprise, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Emmanuel A Oga
- Center for Applied Public Health Research, RTI International, 6110 Executive Boulevard, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | - John Kraemer
- Global Health Division, International Development Group, RTI International, Washington, DC, USA.,Department of Health Systems Administration, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Joshua Kimani
- University of Nairobi Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Joanna Maselko
- Epidemiology Department, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Laura Nyblade
- Global Health Division, International Development Group, RTI International, Washington, DC, USA
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Nyblade L, Addo NA, Atuahene K, Alsoufi N, Gyamera E, Jacinthe S, Leonard M, Mingkwan P, Stewart C, Vormawor R, Kraemer JD. Results from a difference-in-differences evaluation of health facility HIV and key population stigma-reduction interventions in Ghana. J Int AIDS Soc 2020; 23:e25483. [PMID: 32329153 PMCID: PMC7180216 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Stigma undermines all aspects of a comprehensive HIV response, as reflected in recent global initiatives for stigma-reduction. Yet a commensurate response to systematically tackle stigma within country responses has not yet occurred, which may be due to the lack of sufficient evidence documenting evaluated stigma-reduction interventions. With stigma present in all life spheres, health facilities offer a logical starting point for developing and expanding stigma reduction interventions. This study evaluates the impact of a "total facility" stigma-reduction intervention on the drivers and manifestations of stigma and discrimination among health facility staff in Ghana. METHODS We evaluated the impact of a total facility stigma-reduction intervention by comparing five intervention to five comparable non-intervention health facilities in Ghana. Interventions began in September 2017. Data collection was in June 2017 and April 2018. The primary outcomes were composite indicators for three stigma drivers, self-reported stigmatizing avoidance behaviour, and observed discrimination. The principal intervention variable was whether the respondent worked at an intervention or comparison facility. We estimated intervention effects as differences-in-differences in each outcome, further adjusted using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW). RESULTS We observed favourable intervention effects for all outcome domains except for stigmatizing attitudes. Preferring not to provide services to people living with HIV (PLHIV) or a key population member improved 11.1% more in intervention than comparison facility respondents (95% CI 3.2 to 19.0). Other significant improvements included knowledge of policies to protect against discrimination (difference-in-differences = 20.4%; 95% CI 12.7 to 28.0); belief that discrimination would be punished (11.2%; 95% CI 0.2 to 22.3); and knowledge of and belief in the adequacy of infection control policies (17.6%; 95% CI 8.3 to 26.9). Reported observation of stigma and discrimination incidents fell by 7.4 percentage points more among intervention than comparison facility respondents, though only marginally significant in the IPTW-adjusted model (p = 0.06). Respondents at intervention facilities were 19.0% (95% CI 12.2 to 25.8) more likely to report that staff behaviour towards PLHIV had improved over the last year than those at comparison facilities. CONCLUSIONS These results provide a foundation for scaling up health facility stigma-reduction within national HIV responses, though they should be accompanied by rigorous implementation science to ensure ongoing learning and adaptation for maximum effectiveness and long-term impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Nyblade
- Global Health DivisionResearch Triangle Institute (RTI) InternationalWashingtonDCUSA
- Research Triangle Institute (RTI) InternationalResearch Triangle ParkNCUSA
| | - Nii A Addo
- Educational Assessment Research Centre (EARC)AccraGhana
| | | | | | - Emma Gyamera
- Educational Assessment Research Centre (EARC)AccraGhana
| | | | - Madeline Leonard
- Global Health DivisionResearch Triangle Institute (RTI) InternationalWashingtonDCUSA
- Department of Health Systems AdministrationGeorgetown UniversityWashingtonDCUSA
| | - Pia Mingkwan
- Global Health DivisionResearch Triangle Institute (RTI) InternationalWashingtonDCUSA
- Research Triangle Institute (RTI) InternationalResearch Triangle ParkNCUSA
| | - Christin Stewart
- Global Health DivisionResearch Triangle Institute (RTI) InternationalWashingtonDCUSA
- Research Triangle Institute (RTI) InternationalResearch Triangle ParkNCUSA
| | | | - John D Kraemer
- Global Health DivisionResearch Triangle Institute (RTI) InternationalWashingtonDCUSA
- Department of Health Systems AdministrationGeorgetown UniversityWashingtonDCUSA
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Ekstrand ML, Raj T, Heylen E, Nyblade L, Devdass D, Pereira M, Mazur A, Srinivasan K. Reducing HIV stigma among healthcare providers in India using a partly tablet-administered intervention: the DriSti trial. AIDS Care 2020; 32:14-22. [PMID: 32151146 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2020.1739221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
HIV stigma has long been recognized as a significant barrier in the worldwide fight against HIV. Across cultures, stigma has been shown to cause psychological distress and act as a barrier to engagement in care. Health professionals can serve as a crucial source of HIV stigma, with drivers that include fears and transmission misconceptions and pre-existing negative attitudes towards marginalized groups. To increase their impact, stigma reduction interventions need to be scalable and sustainable as well as adaptable to different cultural contexts. The DriSti intervention was designed to meet these needs through an easily adaptable, mostly tablet-administered, interactive intervention delivered to ward staff (n = 1,557) and nursing students (n = 1,625) in 62 Indian institutions, using a cRCT design, with wait-list controls. Six-month outcome analyses, showed significant reductions in misconceptions (p < .001) and worry about acquiring HIV at work (p < .001). Intervention participants also reported significantly greater reductions in endorsement of coercive policies (p < .001) and in the number of situations in which they intended to discriminate against PLWH (p < .001) than control participants. This brief, scaleable intervention could be adapted for similar populations in the region, using different mHealth platforms and thus has important implications for current global stigma reduction initiatives and training curricula.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria L Ekstrand
- Division of Prevention Sciences, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Division of Medical Informatics, St. John's Research Institute, Bangalore, India
| | - Tony Raj
- Division of Medical Informatics, St. John's Research Institute, Bangalore, India
| | - Elsa Heylen
- Division of Prevention Sciences, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Laura Nyblade
- Global Health Division, International Development Group, RTI International, USA
| | - Dhinagaran Devdass
- Division of Medical Informatics, St. John's Research Institute, Bangalore, India
| | - Matilda Pereira
- Division of Medical Informatics, St. John's Research Institute, Bangalore, India
| | - Amanda Mazur
- Division of Prevention Sciences, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Krishnamachari Srinivasan
- Division of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Department of Psychiatry, St. John's Research Institute, Bangalore, India
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Gottert A, Friedland B, Geibel S, Nyblade L, Baral SD, Kentutsi S, Mallouris C, Sprague L, Hows J, Anam F, Amanyeiwe U, Pulerwitz J. The People Living with HIV (PLHIV) Resilience Scale: Development and Validation in Three Countries in the Context of the PLHIV Stigma Index. AIDS Behav 2019; 23:172-182. [PMID: 31350712 PMCID: PMC6773670 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-019-02594-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Supporting resilience among people living with HIV (PLHIV) is crucial to their sustained uptake of HIV services as well as psychological and social wellbeing. However, no measures exist to assess resilience specifically in relation to living with HIV. We developed the PLHIV Resilience Scale and evaluated its performance in surveys with 1207 PLHIV in Cameroon, Senegal and Uganda as part of the PLHIV Stigma Index-the most widely used tool to track stigma and discrimination among PLHIV worldwide. Factor analyses demonstrated satisfactory psychometric properties and reliability (alphas = 0.81-0.92). Levels of resilience (e.g., whether one's self-respect has been positively, negatively, or not affected by one's HIV status) varied substantially within and across countries. Higher resilience was associated with less depression in each country (all p < 0.001), and, in Cameroon and Uganda, better self-rated health and less experience of stigma/discrimination (all p < 0.001). The final 10-item PLHIV Resilience Scale can help inform interventions and policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Gottert
- Population Council HIV and AIDS Program, Washington, DC, USA.
| | - B Friedland
- Population Council HIV and AIDS Program, New York, NY, USA
| | - S Geibel
- Population Council HIV and AIDS Program, Washington, DC, USA
| | - L Nyblade
- RTI International, Washington, DC, USA
| | - S D Baral
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - S Kentutsi
- National Forum of PLHIV Networks in Uganda (NAFOPHANU), Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - L Sprague
- UNAIDS, Geneva, Switzerland
- The Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP +), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - J Hows
- The Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP +), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - F Anam
- International Community of WLHIV (ICW), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - U Amanyeiwe
- Prevention, Care and Treatment (PCT) Division, USAID Office of HIV/AIDS, Washington, DC, USA
| | - J Pulerwitz
- Population Council HIV and AIDS Program, Washington, DC, USA
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Ikeda DJ, Nyblade L, Srithanaviboonchai K, Agins BD. A quality improvement approach to the reduction of HIV-related stigma and discrimination in healthcare settings. BMJ Glob Health 2019; 4:e001587. [PMID: 31297246 PMCID: PMC6590995 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2019-001587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Revised: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
HIV-related stigma and discrimination (S&D) in healthcare settings represents a potent barrier to achieving global aims to end the HIV epidemic, particularly in Southeast Asia (Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Thailand and Vietnam). Evidence-based approaches for measuring and reducing S&D in healthcare settings exist, but their incorporation into routine practice remains limited, in part due to a lack of attention to how unique organisational practices—beyond the knowledge and attitudes of individuals—may abet and reinforce S&D. Application of a quality improvement (QI) approach in which facilities leverage routine measurement of S&D among healthcare workers and people living with HIV, team-based learning, root cause analysis, and tests of change offers a novel means through which to address S&D in local contexts and develop interventions to address individual-level and organisation-level drivers of S&D. To support the adoption of a QI approach to S&D reduction, the Southeast Asia Stigma Reduction QI Learning Network was launched with Ministries of Health from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Vietnam, to co-develop strategies for implementing QI activities in participating facilities. Since the inception of Network activities in 2017, Ministry-led QI activities to address S&D have been implemented in 83 facilities and 29 provinces across participating countries. Moreover, 27 strategies and interventions have been tested to date and are being evaluated for scale up by participating facilities, spanning multiple drivers and organisational domains. Lessons learned through Network activities offer national-level and facility-level HIV programmes best practices for implementing a QI approach to S&D reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Ikeda
- HEALTHQUAL, Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Laura Nyblade
- Research Triangle Institute, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Kriengkrai Srithanaviboonchai
- Dept of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Research Institute for Health Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Bruce D Agins
- HEALTHQUAL, Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA.,Department of Epidemiology and BIostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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van Brakel WH, Cataldo J, Grover S, Kohrt BA, Nyblade L, Stockton M, Wouters E, Yang LH. Out of the silos: identifying cross-cutting features of health-related stigma to advance measurement and intervention. BMC Med 2019; 17:13. [PMID: 30764817 PMCID: PMC6376667 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-018-1245-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many health conditions perceived to be contagious, dangerous or incurable, or resulting in clearly visible signs, share a common attribute - an association with stigma and discrimination. While the etiology of stigma may differ between conditions and, sometimes, cultural settings, the manifestations and psychosocial consequences of stigma and discrimination are remarkably similar. However, the vast majority of studies measuring stigma or addressing stigma through interventions employ a disease-specific approach. MAIN BODY The current paper opposes this siloed approach and advocates a generic concept of 'health-related stigma' in both stigma measurement and stigma interventions. Employing a conceptual model adapted from Weiss, the current paper demonstrates the commonalities among several major stigmatized conditions by examining how several stigma measurement instruments, such as the Social Distance Scale, Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue, Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness, and Berger stigma scale, and stigma reduction interventions, such as information-based approaches, contact with affected persons, (peer) counselling, and skills building and empowerment, were used successfully across a variety of conditions to measure or address stigma. The results demonstrate that 'health-related stigma' is a viable concept with clearly identifiable characteristics that are similar across a variety of stigmatized health conditions in very diverse cultures. CONCLUSION A more generic approach to the study of health-related stigma opens up important practical opportunities - cross-cutting measurement and intervention tools are resource saving and easier to use for personnel working with multiple conditions, allow for comparison between conditions, and recognize the intersectionality of many types of stigma. Further research is needed to build additional evidence demonstrating the advantages and effectiveness of cross-condition approaches to stigma measurement and interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Janine Cataldo
- Department of Physiological Nursing, Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education, University of California San Francisco, 2 Koret Way, San Francisco, CA, 94143-0610, USA
| | | | - Brandon A Kohrt
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - Melissa Stockton
- Epidemiology Department, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Edwin Wouters
- Centre for Longitudinal & Life Course Studies, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Centre for Health Systems Research & Development, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Lawrence H Yang
- College of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY, USA.,Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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Nyblade L, Stockton MA, Giger K, Bond V, Ekstrand ML, Lean RM, Mitchell EMH, Nelson LRE, Sapag JC, Siraprapasiri T, Turan J, Wouters E. Stigma in health facilities: why it matters and how we can change it. BMC Med 2019; 17:25. [PMID: 30764806 PMCID: PMC6376713 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-019-1256-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 292] [Impact Index Per Article: 58.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Stigma in health facilities undermines diagnosis, treatment, and successful health outcomes. Addressing stigma is fundamental to delivering quality healthcare and achieving optimal health. This correspondence article seeks to assess how developments over the past 5 years have contributed to the state of programmatic knowledge-both approaches and methods-regarding interventions to reduce stigma in health facilities, and explores the potential to concurrently address multiple health condition stigmas. It is supported by findings from a systematic review of published articles indexed in PubMed, Psychinfo and Web of Science, and in the United States Agency for International Development's Development Experience Clearinghouse, which was conducted in February 2018 and restricted to the past 5 years. Forty-two studies met inclusion criteria and provided insight on interventions to reduce HIV, mental illness, or substance abuse stigma. Multiple common approaches to address stigma in health facilities emerged, which were implemented in a variety of ways. The literature search identified key gaps including a dearth of stigma reduction interventions in health facilities that focus on tuberculosis, diabetes, leprosy, or cancer; target multiple cadres of staff or multiple ecological levels; leverage interactive technology; or address stigma experienced by health workers. Preliminary results from ongoing innovative responses to these gaps are also described.The current evidence base of stigma reduction in health facilities provides a solid foundation to develop and implement interventions. However, gaps exist and merit further work. Future investment in health facility stigma reduction should prioritize the involvement of clients living with the stigmatized condition or behavior and health workers living with stigmatized conditions and should address both individual and structural level stigma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Nyblade
- RTI International, 701 13th ST NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Melissa A. Stockton
- Epidemiology Department, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, 2103 McGavran-Greenberg Hall, CB #7435, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Kayla Giger
- RTI International, 701 13th ST NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Virginia Bond
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- School of Medicine, Zambart, P.O. Box 50697, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Maria L. Ekstrand
- Division of Prevention Science, University of California, San Francisco, 550 16th Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94158-2549 USA
- St John’s Research Institute, St John’s National Academy of Health Sciences, Bengaluru, India
| | - Roger Mc Lean
- Health Economics Unit, Centre for Health Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Ellen M. H. Mitchell
- International Institute for Social Studies, Erasmus University, Kortenaerkade 12, 2518 AX The Hague, Netherlands
| | - La Ron E. Nelson
- University of Rochester School of Nursing, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box SON, Rochester, NY 14642 USA
- Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, 209 Victoria Street, Toronto, M5T 1B8 Canada
| | - Jaime C. Sapag
- Departments of Public Health and Family Medicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Clinical Public Health Division, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Office of Transformative Global Health, Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Ontario, Canada
| | - Taweesap Siraprapasiri
- Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health of the Government of Thailand, Tivanond Road, Nonthaburi, 11000 Thailand
| | - Janet Turan
- Department of Health Care Organization and Policy, Maternal and Child Health Concentration, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
- Behavioral and Community Sciences Core, UAB Center for AIDS Research (CFAR), Birmingham, USA
| | - Edwin Wouters
- Centre for Longitudinal & Life Course Studies, University of Antwerp, Sint-Jacobstraat 2, B-2000 Antwerp, Belgium
- Centre for Health Systems Research & Development, University of the Free State, PO Box 399, Bloemfontein, 9300 South Africa
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Ikeda D, Srithanaviboonchai K, Nyblade L, Agins B. ISQUA18-1138Applying Structured Quality Improvement Methods to Reduce HIV-related Stigma and Discrimination in Healthcare Facilities: Implementation of the Southeast Asia Stigma Reduction Learning Network. Int J Qual Health Care 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/intqhc/mzy167.24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- D Ikeda
- HEALTHQUAL, Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - K Srithanaviboonchai
- Faculty of Medicine
- Research Institute for Health Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - L Nyblade
- RTI International, Washington, DC, United States
| | - B Agins
- HEALTHQUAL, Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
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Friedland BA, Sprague L, Nyblade L, Baral SD, Pulerwitz J, Gottert A, Amanyeiwe U, Cheng A, Mallouris C, Anam F, Jackson A, Geibel S. Measuring intersecting stigma among key populations living with HIV: implementing the people living with HIV Stigma Index 2.0. J Int AIDS Soc 2018; 21 Suppl 5:e25131. [PMID: 30033563 PMCID: PMC6055043 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Laurel Sprague
- Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+)Amsterdamthe Netherlands
- Community Mobilization DivisionUNAIDSGenevaSwitzerland
| | - Laura Nyblade
- Division of Global HealthRTI InternationalWashingtonDCUSA
| | - Stefan D Baral
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMDUSA
| | | | - Ann Gottert
- Project SOARPopulation CouncilWashingtonDCUSA
| | - Ugo Amanyeiwe
- U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)WashingtonDCUSA
| | - Alison Cheng
- U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)WashingtonDCUSA
| | | | - Florence Anam
- International Committee of Women Living with HIV (ICW)NairobiKenya
| | - Aasha Jackson
- U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)WashingtonDCUSA
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Nyblade L, Srinivasan K, Mazur A, Raj T, Patil DS, Devadass D, Radhakrishna K, Ekstrand ML. HIV Stigma Reduction for Health Facility Staff: Development of a Blended- Learning Intervention. Front Public Health 2018; 6:165. [PMID: 29977887 PMCID: PMC6021510 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2018.00165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The effect of stigma on health and health inequity is increasingly recognized. While many medical conditions trigger stigmatization, the negative effects of HIV stigma are particularly well documented. HIV stigma undermines access, uptake, and adherence to both HIV prevention and treatment. People living with HIV face stigma in all aspects of their daily lives; however, stigma in the health system is particularly detrimental. A key component for health facility stigma-reduction interventions is participatory training of staff, often through several days of in-person training. Though this approach shows promise, it is time intensive and poses challenges for busy health facilities. In response, the DriSti study has developed a brief blended-learning approach to stigma reduction in Karnataka State, India. This paper describes the process and final content of the intervention development. The intervention is currently being tested. Final evaluation results will be published upon study completion. Methods: Grounded in behavior change strategies based on social cognitive theory principles that stress the importance of combining interpersonal interactions with specific strategies that promote behavior change, we used a three-phase approach to intervention development: (1) content planning—review of existing participatory stigma-reduction training activities; (2) story boarding—script development and tablet content production; and (3) pilot testing of tablet and in-person session materials. Results: The final intervention curriculum consists of three sessions. Two initial self-administered tablet sessions focus on stigma awareness, attitudes, fears of HIV transmission, and use of standard precautions. The third small group session covers the same material but includes skill building through role-play and testimony by a person living with HIV. A study team member administers the tablet sessions, explains the process, and is present throughout to answer questions. Conclusion: This paper describes the theoretical underpinning and process of developing the blended-learning curriculum content, and practical lessons learned.The approach covers three key drivers of HIV stigma—stigma awareness, fear of HIV transmission, and attitudes. Developing video content for the self-directed learning is complex, requires a diverse set of people and skills, and presents unexpected opportunities for stigma reduction. Co-facilitation of the in-person session by someone living with HIV is a critical component.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Nyblade
- Global Health Division, International Development Group, RTI International, Washington, DC, United States
| | | | - Amanda Mazur
- Department of Medicine, Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Tony Raj
- St. Johns Research Institute, Bangalore, India
| | | | | | | | - Maria L Ekstrand
- St. Johns Research Institute, Bangalore, India.,Department of Medicine, Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, San Francisco, CA, United States
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Stockton MA, Giger K, Nyblade L. A scoping review of the role of HIV-related stigma and discrimination in noncommunicable disease care. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0199602. [PMID: 29928044 PMCID: PMC6013191 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0199602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background People living with HIV are increasingly burdened by noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) as a result of the NCD susceptibility that accompanies increased life expectancy and the rising global prevalence of NCDs. Health systems are being strengthened and programs are being developed to address this burden, often building on HIV care strategies and infrastructure or through integrated care models. HIV remains a stigmatized condition and the role of HIV stigma in the provision of NCD care is not well understood. Methods We conducted a scoping literature review of both peer reviewed and grey literature to identify evidence of the role of HIV stigma in the NCD-care continuum (prevention, diagnosis, care seeking, retention in care, and adherence to treatment of NCDs). We searched PsychInfo and Pubmed and conducted additional searches of programmatic reports and conference abstracts. Included studies were published in English within the past decade and examined HIV-related stigma as it relates to NCD-care or to integrated NCD-and HIV-care programs. Results Sixteen articles met the inclusion criteria. Findings suggest: fear of disclosure, internalized shame and embarrassment, and negative past experiences with or negative perceptions of health care providers negatively influence engagement with NCD care; HIV stigma can adversely affect not only people living with HIV in need of NCD care, but all NCD patients; some NCDs are stigmatized in their own right or because of their association with HIV; integrating NCD and HIV care can both reduce stigma for people living with HIV and a present a barrier to access for NCD care. Conclusion Due to the dearth of available research and the variability in initial findings, further research on the role of HIV stigma in the NCD-care continuum for people living with HIV is necessary. Lessons from the field of HIV-stigma research can serve as a guide for these efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa A. Stockton
- Global Health Division, International Development Group, RTI International, Washington, DC, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Kayla Giger
- Global Health Division, International Development Group, RTI International, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Laura Nyblade
- Global Health Division, International Development Group, RTI International, Washington, DC, United States of America
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Prudden HJ, Hamilton M, Foss AM, Adams ND, Stockton M, Black V, Nyblade L. Can mother-to-child transmission of HIV be eliminated without addressing the issue of stigma? Modeling the case for a setting in South Africa. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0189079. [PMID: 29220369 PMCID: PMC5722282 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0189079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2017] [Accepted: 11/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stigma and discrimination ontinue to undermine the effectiveness of the HIV response. Despite a growing body of evidence of the negative relationship between stigma and HIV outcomes, there is a paucity of data available on the prevalence of stigma and its impact. We present a probabilistic cascade model to estimate the magnitude of impact stigma has on mother-to-child-transmission (MTCT). METHODS The model was parameterized using 2010 data from Johannesburg, South Africa, from which loss-to-care at each stage of the antenatal cascade were available. Three scenarios were compared to assess the individual contributions of stigma, non-stigma related barriers, and drug ineffectiveness on the overall number of infant infections. Uncertainty analysis was used to estimate plausible ranges. The model follows the guidelines in place in 2010 when the data were extracted (WHO Option A), and compares this with model results had Option B+ been implemented at the time. RESULTS The model estimated under Option A, 35% of infant infections being attributed to stigma. This compares to 51% of total infections had Option B+ been implemented in 2010. Under Option B+, the model estimated fewer infections than Option A, due to the availability of more effective drugs. Only 8% (Option A) and 9% (Option B+) of infant infections were attributed to drug ineffectiveness, with the trade-off in the proportion of infections being between stigma and non-stigma-related barriers. CONCLUSIONS The model demonstrates that while the effect of stigma on retention of women at any given stage along the cascade can be relatively small, the cumulative effect can be large. Reducing stigma may be critical in reaching MTCT elimination targets, because as countries improve supply-side factors, the relative impact of stigma becomes greater. The cumulative nature of the PMTCT cascade results in stigma having a large effect, this feature may be harnessed for efficiency in investment by prioritizing interventions that can affect multiple stages of the cascade simultaneously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly J. Prudden
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Anna M. Foss
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nicole Dzialowy Adams
- Communicable Disease Branch, Department of Health and Human Services, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Melissa Stockton
- RTI, International and HP+, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Vivian Black
- Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute and Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Laura Nyblade
- RTI, International and HP+, Washington, DC, United States of America
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Nyblade L, Stockton M, Nyato D, Wamoyi J. Perceived, anticipated and experienced stigma: exploring manifestations and implications for young people's sexual and reproductive health and access to care in North-Western Tanzania. Cult Health Sex 2017; 19:1092-1107. [PMID: 28276918 DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2017.1293844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Young people - particularly girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa - face significant challenges accessing sexual and reproductive health information and services. These challenges are shaped in part by sociocultural factors, including stigma. This paper presents findings from a qualitative study that explored the micro-level social process of stigma surrounding young people's sexual and reproductive health in two communities in Tanzania. Respondents described an environment of pervasive stigma surrounding the sexual and reproductive health of unmarried young people. Stigma manifested itself in multiple forms, ranging from verbal harassment and social isolation to physical punishment by families, community members, peers and healthcare providers. Respondents perceived that stigma was a barrier to young people accessing sexual and reproductive health services and identified excessive questioning, scolding and requirements to bring sexual partners or parents to receive services at health facilities as obstacles to accessing care. The pervasiveness and complexities of stigma surrounding young people's sexual and reproductive health in the two study communities and its potential consequences for health suggest both a need for care in using the term stigma as well as further studies on the feasibility of incorporating stigma-reduction strategies into young people's sexual and reproductive health programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Nyblade
- a Global Health , RTI International , Washington , DC , USA
| | | | - Daniel Nyato
- b Social Science , National Institute for Medical Research , Mwanza Tanzania
| | - Joyce Wamoyi
- b Social Science , National Institute for Medical Research , Mwanza Tanzania
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Radhakrishna K, Dass D, Raj T, Rakesh D, Kishore R, Srinivasan K, Nyblade L, Ekstrand-Abueg M, Ekstrand ML. Development of a Novel Tablet-based Approach to Reduce HIV Stigma among Healthcare Staff in India. Perspect Health Inf Manag 2017; 14:1b. [PMID: 28566985 PMCID: PMC5430130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Although stigma is considered to be one of the major barriers to reducing the AIDS epidemic in India, efforts to reduce stigma have not been sufficiently examined. In response, a partially computer-administered three-session stigma reduction intervention was developed and is currently being tested. This paper describes the technological design, development, implementation, and management of these in-person tablet-administered assessment and intervention sessions that are being used to evaluate the efficacy of this innovative stigma reduction intervention among nursing students and ward attendants in India.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tony Raj
- St. John's Research Institute in Bangalore, India
| | - Divya Rakesh
- St. John's Research Institute in Bangalore, India
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Nyblade L, Reddy A, Mbote D, Kraemer J, Stockton M, Kemunto C, Krotki K, Morla J, Njuguna S, Dutta A, Barker C. The relationship between health worker stigma and uptake of HIV counseling and testing and utilization of non-HIV health services: the experience of male and female sex workers in Kenya. AIDS Care 2017; 29:1364-1372. [PMID: 28325068 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2017.1307922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The barrier HIV-stigma presents to the HIV treatment cascade is increasingly documented; however less is known about female and male sex worker engagement in and the influence of sex-work stigma on the HIV care continuum. While stigma occurs in all spheres of life, stigma within health services may be particularly detrimental to health seeking behaviors. Therefore, we present levels of sex-work stigma from healthcare workers (HCW) among male and female sex workers in Kenya, and explore the relationship between sex-work stigma and HIV counseling and testing. We also examine the relationship between sex-work stigma and utilization of non-HIV health services. A snowball sample of 497 female sex workers (FSW) and 232 male sex workers (MSW) across four sites was recruited through a modified respondent-driven sampling process. About 50% of both male and female sex workers reported anticipating verbal stigma from HCW while 72% of FSW and 54% of MSW reported experiencing at least one of seven measured forms of stigma from HCW. In general, stigma led to higher odds of reporting delay or avoidance of counseling and testing, as well as non-HIV specific services. Statistical significance of relationships varied across type of health service, type of stigma and gender. For example, anticipated stigma was not a significant predictor of delay or avoidance of health services for MSW; however, FSW who anticipated HCW stigma had significantly higher odds of avoiding (OR = 2.11) non-HIV services, compared to FSW who did not. This paper adds to the growing evidence of stigma as a roadblock in the HIV treatment cascade, as well as its undermining of the human right to health. While more attention is being paid to addressing HIV-stigma, it is equally important to address the key population stigma that often intersects with HIV-stigma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Nyblade
- a Global Health Division, International Development Group , RTI International , Washington , USA
| | - Aditi Reddy
- a Global Health Division, International Development Group , RTI International , Washington , USA
| | | | - John Kraemer
- a Global Health Division, International Development Group , RTI International , Washington , USA.,c Department of Health Systems Administration , Georgetown University , Washington , USA
| | - Melissa Stockton
- a Global Health Division, International Development Group , RTI International , Washington , USA
| | | | - Karol Krotki
- a Global Health Division, International Development Group , RTI International , Washington , USA
| | - Javier Morla
- a Global Health Division, International Development Group , RTI International , Washington , USA
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Batey DS, Whitfield S, Mulla M, Stringer KL, Durojaiye M, McCormick L, Turan B, Nyblade L, Kempf MC, Turan JM. Adaptation and Implementation of an Intervention to Reduce HIV-Related Stigma Among Healthcare Workers in the United States: Piloting of the FRESH Workshop. AIDS Patient Care STDS 2016; 30:519-527. [PMID: 27849373 DOI: 10.1089/apc.2016.0223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV-related stigma has been shown to have profound effects on people living with HIV (PLWH). When stigma is experienced in a healthcare setting, negative health outcomes are exacerbated. We sought to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a healthcare setting stigma-reduction intervention, the Finding Respect and Ending Stigma around HIV (FRESH) Workshop, in the United States. This intervention, adapted from a similar strategy implemented in Africa, brought together healthcare workers (HW) and PLWH to address HIV-related stigma. Two pilot workshops were conducted in Alabama and included 17 HW and 19 PLWH. Participants completed questionnaire measures pre- and post-workshop, including open-ended feedback items. Analytical methods included assessment of measures reliability, pre-post-test comparisons using paired t-tests, and qualitative content analysis. Overall satisfaction with the workshop experience was high, with 87% PLWH and 89% HW rating the workshop "excellent" and the majority agreeing that others like themselves would be interested in participating. Content analysis of open-ended items revealed that participants considered the workshop informative, interactive, well-organized, understandable, fun, and inclusive, while addressing real and prevalent issues. Most pre- and post-test measures had good-excellent internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alphas ranging from 0.70 to 0.96) and, although sample sizes were small, positive trends were observed, reaching statistical significance for increased awareness of stigma in the health facility among HW (p = 0.047) and decreased uncertainty about HIV treatment among PLWH (p = 0.017). The FRESH intervention appears to be feasible and highly acceptable to HW and PLWH participants and shows great promise as a healthcare setting stigma-reduction intervention for US contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. Scott Batey
- Department of Social Work, College of Arts & Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Samantha Whitfield
- Healthcare Organization and Policy, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Mazheruddin Mulla
- Department of Psychology, College of Arts & Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
| | - Kristi L. Stringer
- Department of Sociology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Modupeoluwa Durojaiye
- Healthcare Organization and Policy, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Lisa McCormick
- Healthcare Organization and Policy, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Bulent Turan
- Department of Psychology, College of Arts & Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Laura Nyblade
- Division of Global Health, International Development Group and HP+, RTI International, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Mirjam-Colette Kempf
- Nursing Family, Community & Health Systems, College of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Janet M. Turan
- Healthcare Organization and Policy, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
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Abstract
Stigma towards people living with HIV (PLWH) in healthcare settings is a barrier to optimal treatment. However, our understanding of attitudes towards PLWH from healthcare providers' perspective in the United States is limited and out-of-date. We assessed HIV-related stigma among healthcare staff in Alabama and Mississippi, using online questionnaires. Participants included 651 health workers (60 % White race; 83 % female). Multivariate regression suggests that several factors independently predict stigmatizing attitudes: Protestant compared to other religions (β = 0.129, p ≤ 0.05), White race compared to other races (β = 0.162, p ≤ 0.001), type of clinic (HIV/STI clinic: β = 0.112, p ≤ 0.01), availability of post-exposure prophylaxis (yes: β = -0.107, p ≤ 0.05), and perceptions of policy enforcement (policies not enforced: β = 0.058, p = p ≤ 0.05). These findings may assist providers wishing to improve the quality care for PLWH. Enforcement of policies prohibiting discrimination may be a useful strategy for reducing HIV-related stigma among healthcare workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristi L Stringer
- Department of Sociology, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, HHB 460, 1720 2nd Ave South, Birmingham, AL, 35294-1152, USA.
| | - Bulent Turan
- Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Lisa McCormick
- Department of Health Care Organization and Policy, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Modupeoluwa Durojaiye
- Department of Health Care Organization and Policy, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | | | - Mirjam-Colette Kempf
- Department of Family, Community and Health Systems, School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
- Department of Health Behavior, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Bronwen Lichtenstein
- Department of Criminal Justice, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
| | - Janet M Turan
- Department of Health Care Organization and Policy, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
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