Stigma and discrimination faced by adolescents living with HIV and experiencing depression in Malawi.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In Malawi, approximately 25% of adolescents living with HIV (ALWH) also suffer from depression. Not only is HIV stigma a major contributor to depression but it also adversely impacts HIV care engagement. ALWH can experience HIV stigma as stereotyping, social exclusion, low social support, and abuse, and these experiences are associated with poor mental health. Despite recognition of the deleterious effects of HIV stigma, we have limited knowledge of how stigma is experienced by ALWH with comorbid depression. Guided by the Health Stigma and Discrimination Framework, we describe stigma faced by ALWH and comorbid depression in Malawi and its implications for future interventions.

Methods

As part of a larger formative study to adapt a mental health counseling interven

SUBMITTER: Faidas M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11622908 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature