The Meaning and Perceptions of HIV-Related Stigma in African American Women Living With HIV in Rural Florida: A Qualitative Study. (26th March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Williams, Renessa S.; Stetten, Nichole E.; Cook, Christa; Cook, Robert; Ezenwa, Miriam O.; Lucero, Robert
• Is Part Of: Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care. Volume 33:Number 2(2022)
• Page Start: 118
• Page End: 131
• Publication Date: 2022-03-26
• Subjects: Black women -- empirical phenomenology -- intersectionality -- rural south -- stigma; AIDS (Disease) -- Nursing -- Periodicals; AIDS (Disease) -- Treatment -- Periodicals; AIDS (Disease) -- Periodicals; HIV infections -- Nursing -- Periodicals; HIV infections -- Treatment -- Periodicals; HIV infections -- Periodicals; 616.97920231
• DOI: 10.1097/JNC.0000000000000252
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1055-3290

Abstract

Abstract: African Americans are disproportionally affected by HIV/AIDS compared with other races/ethnicities, yet few studies have examined the cultural and/or attitudinal precursors that can make African American women vulnerable to HIV-related stigma in the rural South. This study qualitatively explored the meaning and perceptions of HIV-related stigma among African American women in Florida. Thirteen semi-structured interviews were conducted using an empirical phenomenological approach. Five observer perspectives and 26 participant perspectives emerged. Participants described stigma through self-conceptualizations (e.g., ignorance), experiences (e.g., judgments), psychological dysfunction (e.g., mental health), intersectionality (e.g., race, disability), and overcoming stigma (e.g., advocacy). Our findings reveal that HIV-related stigma is unpleasant for African American women. However, over time, women in this study developed strategies to combat stigma. Elements of stigma reduction described in this study may be an important starting point for designing a culturally targeted intervention for African American women living with HIV.