1
|
Yang LH, Poku OB, Misra S, Mehta HT, Rampa S, Eisenberg MM, Yang LS, Dai Cao TX, Blank LI, Becker TD, Link BG, Entaile P, Opondo PR, Arscott-Mills T, Ho-Foster AR, Blank MB. Stigma, Structural Vulnerability, and "What Matters Most" Among Women Living With HIV in Botswana, 2017. Am J Public Health 2021; 111:1309-1317. [PMID: 34110916 PMCID: PMC8493151 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2021.306274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Objectives. To explore whether beneficial health care policies, when implemented in the context of gender inequality, yield unintended structural consequences that stigmatize and ostracize women with HIV from "what matters most" in local culture. Methods. We conducted 46 in-depth interviews and 5 focus groups (38 individuals) with men and women living with and without HIV in Gaborone, Botswana, in 2017. Results. Cultural imperatives to bear children bring pregnant women into contact with free antenatal services including routine HIV testing, where their HIV status is discovered before their male partners'. National HIV policies have therefore unintentionally reinforced disadvantage among women with HIV, whereby men delay or avoid testing by using their partner's status as a proxy for their own, thus facilitating blame toward women diagnosed with HIV. Gossip then defines these women as "promiscuous" and as violating the essence of womanhood. We identified cultural and structural ways to resist stigma for these women. Conclusions. Necessary HIV testing during antenatal care has inadvertently perpetuated a structural vulnerability that propagates stigma toward women. Individual- and structural-level interventions can address stigma unintentionally reinforced by health care policies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence H. Yang
- Lawrence H. Yang is with the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY. Ohemaa B. Poku is with the Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. Supriya Misra is with San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA. Haitisha T. Mehta is with the Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY. Shathani Rampa is with the
| | - Ohemaa B. Poku
- Lawrence H. Yang is with the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY. Ohemaa B. Poku is with the Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. Supriya Misra is with San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA. Haitisha T. Mehta is with the Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY. Shathani Rampa is with the
| | - Supriya Misra
- Lawrence H. Yang is with the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY. Ohemaa B. Poku is with the Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. Supriya Misra is with San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA. Haitisha T. Mehta is with the Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY. Shathani Rampa is with the
| | - Haitisha T. Mehta
- Lawrence H. Yang is with the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY. Ohemaa B. Poku is with the Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. Supriya Misra is with San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA. Haitisha T. Mehta is with the Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY. Shathani Rampa is with the
| | - Shathani Rampa
- Lawrence H. Yang is with the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY. Ohemaa B. Poku is with the Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. Supriya Misra is with San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA. Haitisha T. Mehta is with the Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY. Shathani Rampa is with the
| | - Marlene M. Eisenberg
- Lawrence H. Yang is with the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY. Ohemaa B. Poku is with the Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. Supriya Misra is with San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA. Haitisha T. Mehta is with the Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY. Shathani Rampa is with the
| | - Lyla S. Yang
- Lawrence H. Yang is with the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY. Ohemaa B. Poku is with the Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. Supriya Misra is with San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA. Haitisha T. Mehta is with the Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY. Shathani Rampa is with the
| | - Thi Xuan Dai Cao
- Lawrence H. Yang is with the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY. Ohemaa B. Poku is with the Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. Supriya Misra is with San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA. Haitisha T. Mehta is with the Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY. Shathani Rampa is with the
| | - Lilo I. Blank
- Lawrence H. Yang is with the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY. Ohemaa B. Poku is with the Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. Supriya Misra is with San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA. Haitisha T. Mehta is with the Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY. Shathani Rampa is with the
| | - Timothy D. Becker
- Lawrence H. Yang is with the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY. Ohemaa B. Poku is with the Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. Supriya Misra is with San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA. Haitisha T. Mehta is with the Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY. Shathani Rampa is with the
| | - Bruce G. Link
- Lawrence H. Yang is with the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY. Ohemaa B. Poku is with the Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. Supriya Misra is with San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA. Haitisha T. Mehta is with the Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY. Shathani Rampa is with the
| | - Patlo Entaile
- Lawrence H. Yang is with the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY. Ohemaa B. Poku is with the Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. Supriya Misra is with San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA. Haitisha T. Mehta is with the Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY. Shathani Rampa is with the
| | - Philip R. Opondo
- Lawrence H. Yang is with the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY. Ohemaa B. Poku is with the Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. Supriya Misra is with San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA. Haitisha T. Mehta is with the Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY. Shathani Rampa is with the
| | - Tonya Arscott-Mills
- Lawrence H. Yang is with the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY. Ohemaa B. Poku is with the Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. Supriya Misra is with San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA. Haitisha T. Mehta is with the Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY. Shathani Rampa is with the
| | - Ari R. Ho-Foster
- Lawrence H. Yang is with the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY. Ohemaa B. Poku is with the Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. Supriya Misra is with San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA. Haitisha T. Mehta is with the Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY. Shathani Rampa is with the
| | - Michael B. Blank
- Lawrence H. Yang is with the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York, NY. Ohemaa B. Poku is with the Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. Supriya Misra is with San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA. Haitisha T. Mehta is with the Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY. Shathani Rampa is with the
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Becker TD, Ho-Foster AR, Poku OB, Marobela S, Mehta H, Cao DTX, Yang LS, Blank LI, Dipatane VI, Moeng LR, Molebatsi K, Eisenberg MM, Barg FK, Blank MB, Opondo PR, Yang LH. "It's When the Trees Blossom": Explanatory Beliefs, Stigma, and Mental Illness in the Context of HIV in Botswana. Qual Health Res 2019; 29:1566-1580. [PMID: 30739566 PMCID: PMC7577021 DOI: 10.1177/1049732319827523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Mental illness is a common comorbidity of HIV and complicates treatment. In Botswana, stigma impedes treatment of mental illness. We examined explanatory beliefs about mental illness, stigma, and interactions between HIV and mental illness among 42 adults, from HIV clinic and community settings, via thematic analysis of interviews. Respondents endorse witchcraft as a predominant causal belief, in addition to drug abuse and effects of HIV. Respondents describe mental illness as occurring "when the trees blossom," underscoring a conceptualization of it as seasonal, chronic, and often incurable and as worse than HIV. Consequently, people experiencing mental illness (PEMI) are stereotyped as dangerous, untrustworthy, and cognitively impaired and discriminated against in the workplace, relationships, and sexually, increasing vulnerability to HIV. Clinical services that address local beliefs and unique vulnerabilities of PEMI to HIV, integration with peer support and traditional healers, and rehabilitation may best address the syndemic by facilitating culturally consistent recovery-oriented care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ari R Ho-Foster
- 1 University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- 2 Botswana-UPenn Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
| | | | | | | | | | - Lyla S Yang
- 5 Columbia University, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Lilo I Blank
- 6 University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Vincent Ikageng Dipatane
- 7 Princess Marina Hospital, Gaborone, Botswana
- 8 Botswana Ministry of Health and Wellness, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Letumile Rogers Moeng
- 7 Princess Marina Hospital, Gaborone, Botswana
- 8 Botswana Ministry of Health and Wellness, Gaborone, Botswana
| | | | | | - Frances K Barg
- 1 University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Michael B Blank
- 1 University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Philip Renison Opondo
- 1 University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- 9 University of Botswana School of Medicine, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Lawrence H Yang
- 5 Columbia University, New York City, New York, USA
- 10 New York University, New York City, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|