HIV/AIDS-related stigma and adherence to antiretroviral therapy: the mediational role of depression

Abstract

The high levels of non-adherence to ART are a public health concern, and recent evidence suggests that it might be a consequence of HIV/AIDS-related stigma and depression. This study sought to explore whether depression mediates the relationship of HIV/AIDS-related stigma and adherence to ART. The study used a quantitative correlation research design, 202 respondents from 18 years and above were recruited at Kiswa Health Center III. As hypothesized, HIV/AIDS-related stigma was not a significant predictor of adherence to ART, β = -.078, t = -1.073, p = .285, depression predicted adherence to ART β = -.252, t = -3.493, p = .001, and HIV/AIDS-related stigma predicted of depression β = 0.335, t = 5.018, p = 0.000). The results showed that HIV/AIDS-related stigma has no direct effect on adherence to ART, but had an indirect effect on adherence to ART through depression. Therefore, depression fully mediated the relationship between HIV/AIDS-related stigma and adherence to ART. Interventions should be developed to assist PLWHA whose focus is to assess stigma and depression, to improve adherence to ART through psychosocial support like psychotherapy and counseling. Antidepressants especially, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors should also be given to patients who cannot respond to problem solving therapy.