title: Knowledge, stigma, and behavioral outcomes among antiretroviral therapy patients exposed to Nalamdana's radio and theater program in Tamil Nadu, India.
abstract: Arts-based programs have improved HIV-related knowledge, attitudes, and behavior in general and at-risk populations. With HIV transformed into a chronic condition, this study compares patients at consecutive stages of receiving antiretroviral treatment, coinciding with exposure to a radio-and-theater-based educational program (unexposed [N = 120], just exposed [N = 77], Exposed a month ago [N = 60]). Exposure was associated with significantly higher HIV-related knowledge (15-20%, all p < .01), lower levels of stigma (2-7% lower, all p < .10), and over four times the adjusted odds of asking doctors questions about HIV (p = .07). Higher dose of exposure was associated with lower felt stigma (28% reduction per message recalled), greater odds of consistent condom use (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.12, p = .01), doctor-patient communication (AOR: 1.20, p = .003), peer advice-giving (AOR: 1.18, p = .03) and HIV-related advocacy (AOR: 2.35, p = .07). Similar partnerships between arts-based nongovernmental organizations and government hospitals may improve patient outcomes in HIV treatment settings.
authors.affiliation: HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York, New York, USA. devaki.nambiar@gmail.com
authors.forename: Devaki
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nambiar
authors.forename: Vimala
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ramakrishnan
authors.forename: Paresh
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Rajeev
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Varma
authors.forename: Nithya
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Balaji
authors.forename: Jeeva
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rajendran
authors.forename: Loretta
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jhona
authors.forename: Chokkalingam
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chandrasekar
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gere
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004324:Drama; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008093:Literature, Modern; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011845:Radio; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D057545:Social Stigma; D055815:Young Adult