Exploring gender differences in HIV-related stigma and social support in a low-resource setting: A qualitative study in the Dominican Republic.

ABSTRACT: HIV-related stigma can affect health by compromising coping and social support. Gender differences in stigma experiences and social support are underexplored, particularly in the Caribbean. We conducted semi-structured interviews (N = 32) with patients at two HIV clinics in the Dominican Republic. Transcripts were coded using qualitative content analysis (deductive and inductive approaches) to identify themes regarding stigma experiences and social support, which were then compared across men and women participants to identify gender differences. While both men and women described experienced stigma, including verbal abuse, men's experience of stigma were subtler and women described outright rejection and instances of physical violence, including intimate partner violence. Both men and wom

SUBMITTER: Celeste-Villalvir A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10449144 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature