ABSTRACT
AIDS-related stigma has received increasing attention in the literature; however, little is known about the devastating impact it has on rural women living with AIDS (WLA) in India. This cross-sectional study (N = 68), analyzed from complete baseline data, identified a number of correlates of stigma among rural WLA in South India. Structured instruments were used to capture sociodemographic history, stigma, knowledge of HIV, depressive symptoms along with the recording of CD4 data. A higher level of felt stigma and more AIDS symptoms were related to avoidant coping, while fewer adherence strategies and lower support for antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence were also associated with avoidant coping. These findings promote the need for support and resources for rural Indian WLA.
Subject(s)
Adaptation, Psychological , HIV Infections/psychology , Rural Population/statistics & numerical data , Social Isolation , Social Stigma , Adolescent , Adult , Attitude of Health Personnel , Cross-Sectional Studies , Depression/etiology , Depression/psychology , Female , HIV Infections/ethnology , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Humans , India/epidemiology , Models, Statistical , Regression Analysis , Self Disclosure , Social Support , Socioeconomic Factors , Surveys and Questionnaires , Young AdultABSTRACT
Although depression may be commonly experienced by persons living with AIDS, it may be challenging for health care providers to identify persons who are suffering from depression symptoms, particularly if they are living in the more isolated rural areas of India. The purpose of this study is to assess correlates of depression among women living with AIDS in rural Andhra Pradesh, India. A total of 68 rural women living with AIDS (WLA) completed baseline data and were assessed by means of structured instruments. Regression modeling revealed that disclosure avoidance and making at least six health care visits in the last six months were all associated with depression. Further, living with a spouse was associated with lower depressive symptom scores. Stigma was not found to be associated with depression. Understanding correlates of depression can lead the way toward designing culturally-tailored interventions that can mitigate disclosure avoidance and improve the health of women. A more comprehensive health focus may be needed to empower the women to seek quality care for both physical health, as well as mental health, symptomatology.
