HIV-related stigma in a New York City sample of adults in outpatient care for HIV infection: a short report.
This analysis used data from a randomly selected cross-sectional sample of HIV infected outpatient adults in New York City to assess HIV-related stigma and examine gender-specific differences among factors associated with HIV-related stigma. Data was collected by conducting participant interviews and medical records abstraction. HIV-related stigma was assessed using the internalized AIDS-related stigma scale (IA-RSS). Exploratory factor analysis of the IA-RSS indicated that the scale consisted of two factors: (1) internalized stigma and (2) anticipated stigma. Of the 447 sampled participants 23.9% had a higher level of internalized stigma and 38.3% had a higher level of anticipated stigma. Multivariate analysis indicated that among females, internalized stigma was associated with being diagnosed HIV positive after the introduction of HAART in 1996 (adjusted prevalence ratio [PR]: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.2, 3.1; P < 0.01) and a diagnosis of depression (adjusted PR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.2, 2.9; P < 0.01). Among males, anticipated stigma was associated with younger age (18 and 39 years) (adjusted PR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.3, 2.2; P < 0.001) and use of non-injection drugs (adjusted PR: 0.60; 95% CI: 0.41, 0.86; P < 0.01). Findings suggest that there may be gender-specific differences among factors associated with different dimensions of HIV-related stigma.
a HIV Epidemiology & Field Services Program, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene , Long Island City , NY , USA.
Sheldon
S
Radcliffe
a HIV Epidemiology & Field Services Program, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene , Long Island City , NY , USA.
Alan
A
Neaigus
a HIV Epidemiology & Field Services Program, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene , Long Island City , NY , USA.
Marie Antoinette
MA
Bernard
a HIV Epidemiology & Field Services Program, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene , Long Island City , NY , USA.
Colin
C
Shepard
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors; D057545:Social Stigma; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
HIV-related stigma; HIV/AIDS; depression; gender; internalized