Examining Stigma and Disclosure Among Women With HIV in the Southern United States: Qualitative Study Guided by the Adaptive Leadership Framework for Chronic Illness.
Jacquelyn M McMillian-Bohler, Lauren Holt, Adaora A Adimora and 8 others
PMID 35862630WHAT IT FOUND
Women with HIV described fear of rejection and mistrust as central barriers to disclosure.
Providers were described as able to help by checking HIV misconceptions, encouraging, connecting to support groups, and discussing who needed to know.
Key findings
01In interviews with 22 women with HIV, fear of rejection and lack of trust were described as barriers to disclosure.
02The analysis identified provider help themes: checking HIV misconceptions, recognizing support needs, giving encouragement, making referrals, and assisting with disclosure plans.
03Opening up within a trusted network was described as adaptive work, but some participants chose not to disclose.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The sample was a convenience sample from a cohort site, so it may not represent women with HIV outside that setting. Participants were women already engaged in a research cohort, so women with the highest stigma or least care engagement may be missing. Interviews were cross-sectional, so they captured current accounts rather than how stigma changes over time. The study focused on stigma and disclosure, not structural barriers or the full HIV care continuum. The findings are qualitative themes, not measured effects of provider actions.
Declared interests
The supplied publication types indicate NIH extramural research support. The article text does not include an author conflict-of-interest declaration.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read these provider actions as proven ways to reduce stigma. The study reports women's descriptions from interviews, not measured patient outcomes.