Influence of Stigma on Engagement in HIV Care and Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy in Specialized HIV Clinics Targeting Men Who Have Sex with Men and Transgender Women in Lima, Peru.
David Oliveros GómezEteri MachavarianiFrederick L AlticeSamy Gálvez de LeónValerie EarnshawJuan José Montenegro-IdrogoJorge SánchezAna Lucía SeminarioPublished in: AIDS and behavior (2024)
HIV stigma is a social determinant of health that can influence multiple health outcomes, including adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART), engagement in HIV care, and viral suppression levels in people with HIV (PWH). In Peru, where the HIV epidemic is concentrated in men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW), stigma may play an important role in healthcare engagement. To understand the relationship between stigma and two outcome variables, ART adherence and engagement in HIV care in 400 MSM and TGW, we assessed factors from the Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations at two HIV clinics that tailor services for sexual and gender minorities. While some predisposing, need, and enabling resource factors were associated with optimal (≥ 90%) ART adherence or engagement in HIV care, none of the stigma subscales were correlated, suggesting that when LGBTQ-affirming care is provided to MSM/TGW, stigma may not influence HIV-related outcomes.
Keyphrases
- hiv testing
- men who have sex with men
- hiv positive
- antiretroviral therapy
- hiv aids
- mental health
- hiv infected
- healthcare
- human immunodeficiency virus
- hiv infected patients
- mental illness
- social media
- social support
- primary care
- south africa
- public health
- metabolic syndrome
- hepatitis c virus
- risk assessment
- skeletal muscle
- adipose tissue
- cancer therapy
- drug delivery
- pain management