"People don't know that I'm positive": self-stigma in the lives of subsaharan African migrant women in Belgium

Antiretroviral treatment has significantly reduced AIDS-related deaths but the increased number of people
living with HIV/AIDS and experiencing stigma remains a global health challenge. Self-stigma deeply affects
the lives of people with HIV/AIDS and may thwart prevention efforts. This paper explores the drivers of selfstigma,
experiences and the coping strategies common to HIV-positive sub-Saharan African (SSA) migrant
women in Belgium. Qualitative study of 40 SSA migrant women was conducted between April 2013 and
December 2014. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling and snowball techniques from AIDS
Reference Centers and AIDS workshops in Belgium; if 18 years and older, French or English speaking, and
diagnosed HIV-positive more than 3 months. We conducted semi-structured interviews with patients and did
observations during consultations and support groups attendances. Follow-up interviews were conducted
four to eight months later. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes, aided by NVivo 8 as they emerged
from data. Self-stigma was ubiquitous in the lives of almost all participants, driven by: public endorsed
negative feelings, chronic/incurable nature of disease, HIV transmission misconceptions. The most striking
implications of HIV self-stigma include: reluctance to seek treatment/care, unwillingness to disclose HIV+
status. Participants reported that disclosure/non-disclosure, treatment adherence, faith in God, empathy and
support help them cope HIV/AIDS self-stigma. Our findings highlight the complex and shifting nature of selfstigma
experienced by SSA migrant women living with HIV/AIDS in Belgium. There is urgent need for
innovative culturally-adapted self-stigma reduction programs that will improve personalized support services
and optimize HIV prevention and treatment.

Jaar van publicatie:2015

Trefwoorden:HIV/AIDS, Self-stigma, African migrant women, Belgium