ENTRE O ESTIGMA E O CUIDADO: FATORES PSICOSSOCIAIS ASSOCIADOS À ADESÃO AO TRATAMENTO ANTIRRETROVIRAL DE HOMENS GAYS BRASILEIROS VIVENDO COM HIV
ENTRE O ESTIGMA E O CUIDADO: FATORES PSICOSSOCIAIS ASSOCIADOS À ADESÃO AO TRATAMENTO ANTIRRETROVIRAL DE HOMENS GAYS BRASILEIROS VIVENDO COM HIV
-
DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.947112518038
-
Palavras-chave: HIV/AIDS; minorias sexuais e de gênero; adesão à medicação; depressão; estigma relacionado ao HIV; estigma do HIV
-
Keywords: HIV/AIDS; sexual and gender minorities; medication adherence; depression; HIV-related stigma; HIV stigma
-
Abstract: Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a complex and multidetermined process that is influenced by psychosocial variables. Although international studies have pointed to the adverse impact of HIV stigma, sexual stigma and depression on ART adherence among men who have sex with men (MSM) with HIV, less is known about this association among Brazilians. Our aim was to (a) assess indicators of depression, HIV and homosexuality-related stigma and ART adherence in a sample of Brazilian MSM living with HIV; (b) assess possible correlations between the variables analyzed and (c) assess the impact of HIV and sexual stigma and depression on ART adherence. This cross-sectional study included 138 Brazilian MSM living with HIV as participants. The scales used included: a sociodemographic/clinical questionnaire, the questionnaire for assessing adherence to antiretroviral therapy (CEAT-HIV), the Beck depression inventory (BDI-II), the internalized homophobia scale and the HIV stigmatization scale. The average adherence score was relatively high (78.83, in a range of 17 to 89 points). However, we observed inadequate adherence to ART (CEAT-HIV< 75) in 28 (20.2%) respondents. Participants reported high scores for internalized sexual stigma, perceived sexual stigma in the community and HIV stigma. Symptoms of depression were identified in 48.47% of participants. We found negative correlations between depression, HIV stigma and treatment adherence, but not between sexual stigma and ART adherence. HIV-related stigma and sexual stigma were positively correlated with depression. Our regression analysis indicated that each year of age at HIV diagnosis increased adherence by 0.22 points on average. Each additional BDI- II score reduced ART adherence by 0.20 points. The high prevalence of depression, HIV stigma and sexual stigma, and their adverse effects on ART adherence and mental health, point to the need to implement evidence-based interventions to reduce sexual and serological stigma in the general population, as well as to mitigate the negative impacts of stigma on MSM living with HIV in Brazil. They also highlight the importance of periodic screening of these variables among MSM treated in Brazilian public health services, especially among those with inadequate adherence to ART.
- Felipe Alckmin Carvalho
- Guilherme Welter Wendt
- Iara Teixeira
- Lúcia Nichiata