HIV and Stigma: How They Affect Treatment for Women in the US

In the United States, certain groups of women face a higher risk of HIV. Black and Latina women living in disadvantaged areas are particularly affected. These women often struggle with sticking to their antiretroviral therapy (ART) treatment. This can lead to a detectable viral load (VL), which is not good for their health. The combination of poverty, HIV, gender, and racial stigmas can make it harder for these women to follow their ART treatment properly. This, in turn, can increase the chances of a detectable VL. It's a complicated mix of social issues that impacts their health. Researchers used a special method called multidimensional latent transition item response analysis to understand these connections better. They found that these women often face multiple layers of stigma. This makes it tough for them to stay on track with their HIV treatment.