Understanding and addressing HIV stigma: Pathways and interventions across contexts
3. Symposia, workshops and satellitesBulent Turan2, Janet M. Turan3, Andrea Norcini-Pala4, Carmen Logie5, Abigail M. Hatcher6
1 Maastricht University, Faculty of Health, Medicine, and Life Science, Care and Public Health Research Institute and Department of Health Promotion
2 Koç University, College of Social Sciences and Humanities
3 University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Organization
4 Columbia School of Social Work
5 University of Toronto, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work
6 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Gillings School of Global Public Health, Department of Health Behavior
Abstract
HIV stigma is a complex phenomenon. It can be experienced, perceived, anticipated, and internalized, and it often intersects with stigma related to other marginalized identities/behaviors. In this symposium, we discuss HIV and intersectional stigma processes and impacts, and present various stigma interventions that build on theory and evidence, across Global South and Global North contexts. We convey best practices for stigma reduction and focus on the importance of translating research findings into action to reduce stigma and improve HIV prevention, treatment outcomes, and quality of life.
Presentation 1: How does experienced and perceived stigma get under the skin? Internalization of HIV stigma and downstream effects on health outcomes
Bulent Turan & Andrea Norcini-Pala
Research suggests that “external” stigma, stigma that people with HIV perceive in society or experience from others, leads to internalized stigma, which then leads to suboptimal health behaviors and mental and physical health problems. We present theoretical background and empirical findings for these processes.
Presentation 2: Incorporating stigma and interrelated psychosocial factors in HIV interventions for pregnant women and their partners in Kenya
Janet M. Turan & Abigail M. Hatcher
HIV-related stigma and interrelated psychosocial factors (e.g., common mental disorders, intimate partner violence) negatively influence behaviors and health outcomes for pregnant women. We summarize findings from our observational and qualitative stigma research from Kenya, and discuss how this evidence has informed clinic- and home-based interventions to improve physical and mental health among HIV-affected women and families.
Presentation 3: Intervention Mapping as a tool for addressing internalized stigma: Insights from the RESET intervention in the Netherlands
Sarah E. Stutterheim, Yvonne van der Kooij, & Arjan E. R. Bos
Intervention Mapping is a systematic behavior change approach that can be applied to stigma reduction in order to yield more effective and optimal interventions. In this talk, we present an example of an intervention developed using Intervention Mapping to address internalized HIV stigma in the Netherlands and outline how we moved from needs assessment to design, and then onto implementation and evaluation.
Presentation 4: Addressing intersecting stigma in HIV testing interventions with refugee and displaced youth in urban and refugee-settlement humanitarian settings in Uganda
Carmen Logie
Knowledge gaps persist regarding stigma-informed HIV testing programs for refugee youth. We present mixed-methods findings from research with urban (Kampala) and refugee-settlement (Bidi Bidi) refugee youth in Uganda on how intersecting stigma (e.g., age, gender, sex work, HIV-related, refugee-related, sexual violence-related) experiences shape HIV testing engagement, and how these findings were integrated into HIV testing interventions with refugee youth in these humanitarian settings.
Presentation 5: Translating intersectional research findings into action: Bridging research and practice to address intersectional stigma and improve HIV treatment outcomes
Andrea Norcini Pala, Bulent Turan, & Janet M. Turan
In order to address HIV and intersectional stigma, we must bridge research and practice through collaborations and by translating research findings into action. In this talk, we discuss the need for culturally sensitive interventions informed by psychosocial theories, such as the social identity threat theory, to address intersectional stigma and improve HIV treatment outcomes.