230215 Stigma and survival in older adult sexual minority men living with HIV/AIDS in New York City

Tuesday, November 9, 2010 : 5:30 PM - 5:45 PM

Rahwa Haile, PhD , HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY
Mark B. Padilla, PhD, MPH , Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI
Elma Lorenzo-Blanco, PhD Candidate , Clinical Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Background: The proportion of HIV/AIDS cases in older adults has nearly doubled in recent years. Recent projections estimate that in the next decade the greatest proportion of PLWHA (people living with HIV/AIDS) living in the United States will be older than fifty. However, few studies have examined the experiences of older sexual minority men living with HIV/AIDS. Attending to this gap, this study examines the ways in which older adult sexual minority men narrate the role of stigma in their ability to survive with HIV/AIDS. Method: In depth interviews were conducted with thirty New York City sexual minority men fifty and older who have been living with HIV for thirteen or more years. Systematic sampling was used to achieve equal distribution across ethnic/racial groups, such that the sample includes ten blacks, ten Latinos, and ten whites. Grounded theory guided the development of a codebook, which investigators used to code interviews, focusing on the theme of stigma. Results: Respondents articulate that stigma related to HIV status, sexual orientation, ethnicity and age has deeply impeded their ability to cope with HIV/AIDS over time. However, respondents employ multiple stigma management techniques in order to manage and resist the health-demoting influence of stigma. Conclusion: Stigma remains a major barrier in the ability of older PLWHA survive with HIV/AIDS. Future research is needed in order to develop empowering ways in which older PLWHA can mitigate the influence of stigma, as well as to develop ways to eradicate the structural sources of stigma in their lives.

Learning Areas:
Diversity and culture
Public health or related public policy
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
1. To describe the impact of stigma on the ability of older MSM living with HIV/AIDS to survive. 2. To discuss and describe at least three sources of stigma salient to older MSM living with HIV/AIDS.

Keywords: Male Health, Ethnic Minorities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have received doctoral training in social epidemiology and public health and am receiving post-doctoral training in HIV-related social and behavioral research.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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