Stigma Mechanisms and Outcomes among Sub-Saharan African Descendants in Belgium—Contextualizing the HIV Stigma Framework

Dados Bibliográficos

ID15501514
AutoresLazare Manirankunda (0000-0002-4162-4210, Instituut voor Tropische Geneeskunde, autor correspondente), Aletha Wallace (Vrije Universiteit Brussel), Charles Ddungu (Instituut voor Tropische Geneeskunde), Christiana Nöstlinger (0000-0001-9031-8503, Instituut voor Tropische Geneeskunde)
Ano2021
Volume18
Fascículo16
Páginas8635-8635
Data de publicação2021-08-16
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
EditoraMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph18168635
PMID34444384
OpenAlexW3193370851
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas14
Referências citadas47

HIV-related stigma and discrimination are recognized barriers to HIV prevention, testing and treatment among people of Sub-Saharan African descent (SSA) origin living in Belgium, but insights into HIV related-stigma mechanisms and outcomes are lacking for this population with high HIV prevalence. Guided by Earnshaw and Chaudoir's stigma framework (2009), we conducted this qualitative study using 10 focus-groups with 76 SSA community members and 20 in-depth interviews with SSA descendants living with HIV to explore specific HIV-stigma mechanisms and outcomes and underlying drivers. Inductive and deductive thematic analysis showed high degrees of stigma among SSA communities driven by fear of HIV acquisition and misconceptions in a migration context, negatively affecting SSA descendants living with HIV. The results allowed for contextualization of the framework: At the community level, prejudices and stereotypes were major stigma mechanisms, while physical distancing, gossips, sexual rejection, violence and increased HIV prevalence emerged as stigma outcomes. Among SSA descendants living with HIV, enacted, anticipated and internalized stigmas were validated as stigma mechanisms, with witnessed stigma as an additional mechanism. Self-isolation, community avoidance and low utilization of non-HIV specialized healthcare were additional outcomes. These results are relevant for tailoring interventions to reduce HIV-related stigma

Environmental health · Population · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Qualitative research · Sociology · Stigma (botany · Thematic analysis · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Psychology · Gerontology