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HIV-related stigma in pregnancy and early postpartum of mothers living with HIV in Ontario, Canada.

Authors :
Ion A
Wagner AC
Greene S
Loutfy MR
Source :
AIDS care [AIDS Care] 2017 Feb; Vol. 29 (2), pp. 137-144. Date of Electronic Publication: 2016 Jul 22.
Publication Year :
2017

Abstract

HIV-related stigma is associated with many psychological challenges; however, minimal research has explored how perceived HIV-related stigma intersects with psychosocial issues that mothers living with HIV may experience including depression, perceived stress and social isolation. The present study aims to describe the correlates and predictors of HIV-related stigma in a cohort of women living with HIV (WLWH) from across Ontario, Canada during pregnancy and early postpartum. From March 2011 to December 2012, WLWH ≥ 18 years (n = 77) completed a study instrument measuring independent variables including sociodemographic characteristics, perceived stress, depression symptoms, social isolation, social support and perceived racism in the third trimester and 3, 6 and 12 months postpartum. Multivariable linear regression was employed to explore the relationship between HIV-related stigma and multiple independent variables. HIV-related stigma generally increased from pregnancy to postpartum; however, there were no significant differences in HIV-related stigma across all study time points. In multivariable regression, depression symptoms and perceived racism were significant predictors of overall HIV-related stigma from pregnancy to postpartum. The present analysis contributes to our understanding of HIV-related stigma throughout the pregnancy-motherhood trajectory for WLWH including the interactional relationship between HIV-related stigma and other psychosocial variables, most notably, depression and racism.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1360-0451
Volume :
29
Issue :
2
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
AIDS care
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
27449254
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1080/09540121.2016.1211608