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Perceived Stigma Among Patients Receiving Antiretroviral Treatment: A Prospective Randomised Trial Comparing An M-Dot Strategy With Standard-Of-Care In Kenya, Susan Kaai, Sandra Bullock, Avina Sarna, Matthew Chersich, Stanley Luchters, Scott Geibel, Kishorchandra Mandaliya, Marleen Temmerman, Naomi Rutenberg

Population Health, East Africa

HIV and AIDS remain highly stigmatised. Modified directly observed therapy (m-DOT) supports antiretroviral treatment (ART) adherence but little is known about its association with perceived stigma in resource-constrained settings. In 2003, 234 HIV-infected adults enrolled in a two-arm randomised trial comparing a health centre-based m-DOT strategy with standard self-administration of ART. Data on perceived stigma were collected using Berger's HIV stigma scale prior to starting ART and after 12 months. This was a secondary analysis to examine whether perceived stigma was related to treatment delivery. Perceived stigma scores declined after 12 months of treatment from a mean of 44.9 (sd=7.6) …