biostudies-literatureBebell LMNational Institutes of Health100034https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8896824biostudies-literatureUnknown1Depression affects over 40% of people with HIV (PHIV) in low- and middle-income countries, and over half of PHIV report HIV-related internalized stigma. However, few longitudinal studies of PHIV have examined the relationship between HIV-related stigma and depression. Data were analyzed from the 2007-15 Uganda AIDS Rural Treatment Outcomes (UARTO) Study, a cohort of 454 antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naïve PHIV (68% women) starting ART. Our primary outcome was depression symptom severity over the first two years of ART, measured using a locally adapted version of the Hopkins Symptom Checklist; our primary exposure was the 6-item Internalized AIDS-Related Stigma Scale. Both scores were measured at enrollment and at quarterly follow-up visits. We fit linear generalized estimating equations (GESSM. Mental healthInternalized stigma, depressive symptoms, and the modifying role of antiretroviral therapy: A cohort study in rural Uganda.PMC8896824K23AI138856R01MH113494R01MH054907K24AA015287K23MH108440Bebell LMBwana MBSiedner MJBoum YHaberer JEMartin JNTsai ACMusinguzi NKembabazi AMuzoora CO'Laughlin KNHunt PWBangsberg DRfalseInternalized stigma, depressive symptoms, and the modifying role of antiretroviral therapy: A cohort study in rural Uganda.Depression affects over 40% of people with HIV (PHIV) in low- and middle-income countries, and over half of PHIV report HIV-related internalized stigma. However, few longitudinal studies of PHIV have examined the relationship between HIV-related stigma and depression. Data were analyzed from the 2007-15 Uganda AIDS Rural Treatment Outcomes (UARTO) Study, a cohort of 454 antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naïve PHIV (68% women) starting ART. Our primary outcome was depression symptom severity over the first two years of ART, measured using a locally adapted version of the Hopkins Symptom Checklist; our primary exposure was the 6-item Internalized AIDS-Related Stigma Scale. Both scores were measured at enrollment and at quarterly follow-up visits. We fit linear generalized estimating equations (GE2021-01-01T00:00:00Z2021 Dec2025-05-18T12:33:03.62Z2025-04-04T23:29:11.236ZS-EPMC88968243525290410.1016/j.ssmmh.2021.100034