Introduction. To analyze the relationship between HIV-associated perceived stigma and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) in people with HIV in Mexico City. Material and methods. A mixed methods approach was used including in-depth in¬terviews and a cross-sectional survey. In-depth interviews were conducted to explore barriers to ART adherence. In the survey, a questionnaire was given to 557 people with HIV treated in two public health institutions. The questionnaire included an assessment of HIV-associated perceived stigma; exploratory factor analysis demonstrated two outcomes: concealment of serostatus and revelation of the serostatus to family and friends. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association of HIV-associated stigma with low ART adherence on the previous day, week and month.
Results. People who concealed their disease had higher risk of non-adherence (RM= 2.33). Participants who had not revealed their serostatus to friends or relatives also had a higher probability of non-adherence (RM= 2.35). Coincidentally, the inter¬views showed that the experiences of discrimination or the expectations of being discriminated against make people conceal their illness and are thus prone to non-adherence.
Discussion. It is necessary to promote actions aimed at eliminating HIV-related stig¬ma as a fundamental measure to increase adherence to ART.
Keywords:
social stigma, treatment adherence and compliance, medication adherence, healthcare disparities, HIV
Ortiz-Hernández, L., Pérez-Salgado, D., Staines-Orozco, G., & Compeán-Dardón, S. (2021). HIV-related perceived stigma and adherence to treatment among people with HIV from Mexico city. Revista Chilena De Salud Pública, 25(1), p. 15–27. https://doi.org/10.5354/0719-5281.2021.65188
