title: HIV-related stigma, isolation, discrimination, and serostatus disclosure: a global survey of 2035 HIV-infected adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Little is known globally about the perspectives of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) on perceived HIV-related stigma and its consequences.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study (January-March 2010) of perceived HIV-related stigma among PLWHA (N = 2035) using a standardized questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-seven percent of respondents reported loneliness as a result of their HIV status. Depression was reported by 27%. While 96% reported disclosing their HIV status to at least 1 person, 17% of patients who reported being in a long-term sexual relationship had not disclosed their status to their partner. Variables associated with perceived stigma were living in Asia-Pacific versus other regions (odds ratio [OR]: 2.77; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.96-3.92); having experienced body/face changes; reported depression (OR: 1.25; 95% CI 1.11-1.38); and nondisclosure of HIV status (OR: 1.75; 95% CI 1.28-2.41).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Thirty years into the HIV pandemic, perceived HIV stigma, isolation, and discrimination persist and are associated with loneliness and depression among PLWHA.
authors.affiliation: 1Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Jean B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Nachega
authors.forename: Chelsea
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Morroni
authors.forename: José M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Zuniga
authors.forename: Renslow
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sherer
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Beyrer
authors.forename: Suniti
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Solomon
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schechter
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rockstroh
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D001938:Brazil; D007560:Cote d'Ivoire; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011287:Prejudice; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012934:Social Isolation; D057545:Social Stigma; D013019:South Africa; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014342:Truth Disclosure; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult