Correlates of internalized stigma and antiretroviral therapy adherence among people living with HIV in the Volta region of Ghana
Abstract Objective HIV-related stigma is a major public health concern compromising the rights and health outcomes of many people living with HIV (PLWH). Its reduction is said to be critical in strengthening the continuous efforts targeted at preventing and controlling HIV, as it directly impacts an...
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2025-01-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21500-5 |
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| author | Jerry John Ouner Rachel G. A. Thompson Nutifafa E. Y. Dey Robert Kaba Alhassan Akua O. Gyamerah |
| author_facet | Jerry John Ouner Rachel G. A. Thompson Nutifafa E. Y. Dey Robert Kaba Alhassan Akua O. Gyamerah |
| author_sort | Jerry John Ouner |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Objective HIV-related stigma is a major public health concern compromising the rights and health outcomes of many people living with HIV (PLWH). Its reduction is said to be critical in strengthening the continuous efforts targeted at preventing and controlling HIV, as it directly impacts antiretroviral treatment adherence. This study examines the association between HIV-related stigma and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among PLWH in one of the 16 administrative regions of Ghana, Africa. Methods This descriptive cross-sectional study employed a survey to assess the factors affecting the utilization of ART among PLWH (n = 155) in the Volta region. The Center for Support Evaluation adherence index and internalized stigma of AIDS Tool were used to collect data on medication adherence and stigma, respectively. Data was analyzed using R statistical analysis software. Logistic regression models were performed to ascertain the predictors of ART utilization among PLWH. Results A greater proportion (70%) of the study’s participants reported adherence to ART. We found a positive association between HIV-related internalized stigma and medication adherence such that reporting high levels of stigma on average was associated with high levels of medication adherence [OR = 1.08, 95% CI:1.01, 1.15]. Older age was related to higher adherence while reporting more depressive symptoms was associated with low medication adherence. Conclusion Our findings show that stigma may serve as a facilitator instead of a barrier to adhering to antiretroviral medication. Although this contradicts common narratives about stigma’s destructive effect, it is possible to promote good health-seeking behavior when the fear component of stigma is considered. To encourage medication adherence towards meeting UNAIDS’ 95-95-95 agenda and better understand stigma’s role, further research is required. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-362c22aca06c4c338131ef1abfcfce38 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-362c22aca06c4c338131ef1abfcfce382025-02-02T12:45:36ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-01-0125111010.1186/s12889-025-21500-5Correlates of internalized stigma and antiretroviral therapy adherence among people living with HIV in the Volta region of GhanaJerry John Ouner0Rachel G. A. Thompson1Nutifafa E. Y. Dey2Robert Kaba Alhassan3Akua O. Gyamerah4Department of Family Health Care Nursing, School of Nursing, University of California San FranciscoLanguage Centre, College of Humanities, University of Ghana, legonAfrica Interdisciplinary Research InstituteCentre for Health Policy and Implementation Research, Institute of Health Research, University of Health and Allied SciencesDepartment of Community Health and Health Behavior, University at BuffaloAbstract Objective HIV-related stigma is a major public health concern compromising the rights and health outcomes of many people living with HIV (PLWH). Its reduction is said to be critical in strengthening the continuous efforts targeted at preventing and controlling HIV, as it directly impacts antiretroviral treatment adherence. This study examines the association between HIV-related stigma and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among PLWH in one of the 16 administrative regions of Ghana, Africa. Methods This descriptive cross-sectional study employed a survey to assess the factors affecting the utilization of ART among PLWH (n = 155) in the Volta region. The Center for Support Evaluation adherence index and internalized stigma of AIDS Tool were used to collect data on medication adherence and stigma, respectively. Data was analyzed using R statistical analysis software. Logistic regression models were performed to ascertain the predictors of ART utilization among PLWH. Results A greater proportion (70%) of the study’s participants reported adherence to ART. We found a positive association between HIV-related internalized stigma and medication adherence such that reporting high levels of stigma on average was associated with high levels of medication adherence [OR = 1.08, 95% CI:1.01, 1.15]. Older age was related to higher adherence while reporting more depressive symptoms was associated with low medication adherence. Conclusion Our findings show that stigma may serve as a facilitator instead of a barrier to adhering to antiretroviral medication. Although this contradicts common narratives about stigma’s destructive effect, it is possible to promote good health-seeking behavior when the fear component of stigma is considered. To encourage medication adherence towards meeting UNAIDS’ 95-95-95 agenda and better understand stigma’s role, further research is required.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21500-5Internalized stigmaAntiretroviral therapyPeople living with HIVVolta regionGhana |
| spellingShingle | Jerry John Ouner Rachel G. A. Thompson Nutifafa E. Y. Dey Robert Kaba Alhassan Akua O. Gyamerah Correlates of internalized stigma and antiretroviral therapy adherence among people living with HIV in the Volta region of Ghana BMC Public Health Internalized stigma Antiretroviral therapy People living with HIV Volta region Ghana |
| title | Correlates of internalized stigma and antiretroviral therapy adherence among people living with HIV in the Volta region of Ghana |
| title_full | Correlates of internalized stigma and antiretroviral therapy adherence among people living with HIV in the Volta region of Ghana |
| title_fullStr | Correlates of internalized stigma and antiretroviral therapy adherence among people living with HIV in the Volta region of Ghana |
| title_full_unstemmed | Correlates of internalized stigma and antiretroviral therapy adherence among people living with HIV in the Volta region of Ghana |
| title_short | Correlates of internalized stigma and antiretroviral therapy adherence among people living with HIV in the Volta region of Ghana |
| title_sort | correlates of internalized stigma and antiretroviral therapy adherence among people living with hiv in the volta region of ghana |
| topic | Internalized stigma Antiretroviral therapy People living with HIV Volta region Ghana |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21500-5 |
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