Masquillier C., Wouters E., Mortelmans D., le Roux Booysen F.
Department of Sociology, Research Centre for Longitudinal and Life Course Studies (CELLO), University of Antwerp, Sint Jacobsstraat 2, Antwerp, Belgium; Centre for Health Systems Research and Development, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa; Department of Economics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
Masquillier, C., Department of Sociology, Research Centre for Longitudinal and Life Course Studies (CELLO), University of Antwerp, Sint Jacobsstraat 2, Antwerp, Belgium; Wouters, E., Department of Sociology, Research Centre for Longitudinal and Life Course Studies (CELLO), University of Antwerp, Sint Jacobsstraat 2, Antwerp, Belgium, Centre for Health Systems Research and Development, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa; Mortelmans, D., Department of Sociology, Research Centre for Longitudinal and Life Course Studies (CELLO), University of Antwerp, Sint Jacobsstraat 2, Antwerp, Belgium; le Roux Booysen, F., Department of Economics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
In the current context of human resource shortages in South Africa, various community support interventions are being implemented to provide long-term psychosocial care to persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). However, it is important to analyze the unintended social side effects of such interventions in regards to the stigma felt by PLWHA, which might threaten the successful management of life-long treatment. Latent cross-lagged modeling was used to analyze longitudinal data on 294 PLWHA from a randomized controlled trial (1) to determine whether peer adherence support (PAS) and treatment buddying influence the stigma experienced by PLWHA; and (2) to analyze the interrelationships between each support form and stigma. Results indicate that having a treatment buddy decreases felt stigma scores, while receiving PAS increases levels of felt stigma at the second follow up. However, the PAS intervention was also found to have a positive influence on having a treatment buddy at this time. Furthermore, a treatment buddy mitigates the stigmatizing effect of PAS, resulting in a small negative indirect effect on stigma. The study indicates the importance of looking beyond the intended effects of an intervention, with the goal of minimizing any adverse consequences that might threaten the successful long-term management of HIV/AIDS and maximizing the opportunities created by such support. © 2014, Springer Science+Business Media New York.
anti-retroviral agents; adolescent; adult; community health services; controlled study; Helping Behavior; HIV Infections; Humans; Male; Medication Adherence; Middle Aged; organization and administration; Outcome Assessment (Health Care); Peer Group; psychology; randomized controlled trial; Social Stigma; Social Support; South Africa; Stereotyping; Adolescent; Adult; Anti-Retroviral Agents; Community Health Services; Helping Behavior; HIV Infections; Humans; Male; Medication Adherence; Middle Aged; Outcome Assessment (Health Care); Peer Group; Social Stigma; Social Support; South Africa; Stereotyping