Social Support, Stigma and Disclosure: Examining the Relationship with HIV Medication Adherence among Ryan White Program Clients in the Mid-South USA

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Latrice C. Pichon²  Kristen R. Rossi⁴  Siri A. Ogg²  Lisa J. Krull²  Dorcas Young Griffin³  Paul B. Tchounwou¹ 

[1] School of Public Health, University of Memphis, Robison Hall, Memphis, TN 38152, USA;;School of Public Health, University of Memphis, Robison Hall, Memphis, TN 38152, USA; E-Mails:;Shelby County Government, 160 N. Main St., Suite 250, Memphis, TN 38103 USA; E-Mail:;Shelby County Health Department Epidemiology Section, 814 Jefferson Ave., Memphis, TN 38105, USA; E-Mail:

关键词: HIV;    medication adherence;    patient care;    CBPR;    church;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijerph120607073

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Social support from friends and family is positively related to better health outcomes among adults living with HIV. An extension of these networks such as religious communities may be an untapped source of social support for promoting HIV medical adherence. This paper explores the association of HIV medication adherence to satisfaction with support from family, friends and church members, as well as HIV-related stigma, and HIV disclosure. In partnership with the Shelby County Health Department, the Memphis Ryan White Part A Program, and the University of Memphis School of Public Health, a total of 286 interviewer-administered surveys were conducted with Ryan White clients. Seventy-six percent (n = 216) of participants reported being prescribed antiretroviral medication (ARVs). Nearly all participants (n = 202, 94%) prescribed ARVs reported disclosing their HIV status to someone. Almost 20% (n = 40) of those prescribed ARVs reported not being satisfied with support received from his/her church. Interestingly, participants reported rarely experiencing stigma as a result of their HIV status. The extent to which satisfaction with support from personal networks and institutional settings like the church affect medication adherence is yet to be understood. The complexity of HIV disclosure and HIV stigma in relation to these supports warrants further investigation to understand how best to improve HIV health outcomes.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.