HIV-related stigma: implications for symptoms of anxiety and depression among Malawian women

An estimated 11% of the adult population in Malawi, Africa, is living with HIV/AIDS. The disease has taken a toll on communities, resulting in high morbidity and mortality. Malawian women carry the burden of being caretakers for individuals infected with HIV while also worrying about their own healt...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:African journal of AIDS research : AJAR 2015-01, Vol.14 (1), p.67-73
Main Authors: Kamen, Charles, Arganbright, Jill, Kienitz, Eliza, Weller, Melissa, Khaylis, Anna, Shenkman, Tammy, Smith, Sarah, Koopman, Cheryl, Gore-Felton, Cheryl
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
AIDS/HIV
Anxiety
Depression
Depressive Disorder
Female
Gender
HIV
HIV Infections - psychology
HIV/AIDS
Human immunodeficiency virus
Humans
Malawi
Mental health
Middle Aged
Social Stigma
Women
Women's Health
Young Adult
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Summary:An estimated 11% of the adult population in Malawi, Africa, is living with HIV/AIDS. The disease has taken a toll on communities, resulting in high morbidity and mortality. Malawian women carry the burden of being caretakers for individuals infected with HIV while also worrying about their own health. However, little is known about how HIV/ AIDS affects psychological functioning among Malawian women in areas hit hardest by the epidemic. To that end, this paper examined the influence of HIV-related stigma on symptoms of anxiety and depression among 59 women 17-46 years old who were recruited from the Namitete area of Malawi. Women who reported greater worry about being infected with HIV and greater HIV-related stigma were significantly more likely to report greater symptoms of anxiety and depression. These findings suggest that interventions that reduce HIV-related stigma are likely to enhance psychological functioning among Malawian women, which in turn will improve the women's quality of life and well-being.
ISSN:1608-5906
1727-9445
DOI:10.2989/16085906.2015.1016987