The Meaning and Perceptions of HIV-Related Stigma in African American Women Living With HIV in Rural Florida: A Qualitative Study.
Renessa S Williams, Nichole E Stetten, Christa Cook and 3 others
PMID 33782240WHAT IT FOUND
African American women living with HIV in rural Florida described stigma as fear, shame, and being avoided by family, friends, providers, and churches.
Over time, they described support, education, faith, and advocacy helping them cope.
Key findings
01Many participants did not know the definition of HIV-related stigma but recounted fear, shame, blame, and negative reactions when newly diagnosed.
02Stigma was described as ignorance, judgment, and negative treatment from family, peers, health care providers, and religious entities.
03Women reported stigma could lead to mental health challenges, thoughts of death, and stopping HIV medications.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The women were recruited by convenience and snowball sampling, so the findings may not transfer to other African American women living with HIV. Most participants had been living with HIV for more than 20 years, so this says little about newly diagnosed women. The sample size was small, and the paper notes it is unclear whether it was large enough for the analytic approach, although saturation was reached. All participants were prescribed antiretroviral medications and engaged in HIV care, so women not in care may have different experiences. Stigma is sensitive, so social desirability bias may have shaped answers. The participant count is unclear because the characteristics section describes 14 participants, but the analysis used 13 women's interview data. Findings were not communicated back to participants.
Declared interests
The authors reported no real or perceived vested interests. The article is supported by NIH extramural and non-U.S. government research support.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read these themes as proof that any stigma-reduction programme works. The study interviewed a small group of women already engaged in HIV care, so it describes experiences, not tested outcomes.