The development of Maisha, a video-assisted counseling intervention to address HIV stigma at entry into antenatal care in Tanzania.
Published
Journal Article
HIV stigma has a profound impact on clinical outcomes and undermines the quality of life of people living with HIV (PLWH). Among HIV-negative individuals, misinformation and prejudicial attitudes about HIV can fuel stigma and contribute to discrimination against PLWH. Antenatal care (ANC), with its focus on universal HIV testing, provides a unique entry point to address HIV stigma. This study describes the development of a counseling intervention to address HIV stigma among women and their partners attending a first ANC appointment in Tanzania. Formative work to inform the intervention consisted of qualitative interviews with 32 pregnant and postpartum women (both women living with HIV and HIV-negative women) and 20 healthcare workers. Data were analyzed iteratively, using a thematic analysis approach, to identify intervention targets. The resulting intervention, Maisha (Swahili for "Life"), includes three sessions informed by the HIV Stigma Framework and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: a video and brief counseling session prior to HIV testing and, for those who test seropositive for HIV, two additional sessions building on the video content. A pilot test of the intervention is in process. Addressing HIV stigma at the first ANC visit can help individuals living with HIV to overcome stigma-related barriers to the initiation and maintenance of HIV care, and can reduce stigmatizing attitudes among those who test negative for HIV.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Watt, MH; Knettel, BA; Knippler, ET; Kisigo, G; Ngocho, JS; Renju, J; Rogathi, J; Sao, SS; Minja, L; Osaki, H; Mwamba, RN; Mmbaga, BT
Published Date
- December 2020
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 83 /
Start / End Page
- 101859 -
PubMed ID
- 32795711
Pubmed Central ID
- 32795711
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1873-7870
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0149-7189
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2020.101859
Language
- eng