HIV-related stigma, disclosure and social support: experiences among young pregnant and postpartum women living with HIV in South Africa.

ABSTRACT: ABSTRACTYoung pregnant and postpartum women living with HIV (WLHIV) are at high risk of poor antiretroviral therapy (ART) outcomes, which may be driven partly by HIV-related stigma. We conducted in-depth interviews with 20 pregnant and postpartum WLHIV aged 19-24 years to understand how different forms of HIV-related stigma manifest in their lives, as well as their experiences of HIV-status disclosure and social support. Participants described profound levels of perceived stigma in their community, including gossip from other young women and judgement from older adults. Consequently, participants disclosed to a limited number of people to avoid being stigmatised, and disclosure to peers was especially uncommon. However, disclosure in certain situations was described as leading to em

SUBMITTER: Brittain K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10011013 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature