Katrin Fabian1, Yamilé Molina2, Christopher G Kemp1, Paul E Nevin1, Katryna McCoy3, Jane M Simoni1,4, Michele Andrasik5, Susan E Cohn6, Sandy Micci7, Deepa Rao1,8. 1. Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA. 2. Community Health Sciences Division, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1601 West Taylor Street, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA. Ymolin2@uic.edu. 3. School of Nursing & Health Studies, University of Washington Bothell, Bothell, WA, USA. 4. Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA. 5. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA. 6. Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA. 7. CORE Center/Division of Infectious Diseases, Stroger Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, IL, USA. 8. Department of Psychiatry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:African-American women suffer disproportionately from HIV, breast cancer, and other illnesses. Little is known about the relationship between internalized HIV-related stigma and health beliefs related to other illnesses, including breast cancer. Our study examined (1) the relationship between internalized HIV-related stigma and breast health beliefs over time and (2) the moderating effects of participating in a stigma reduction intervention and/or social support. METHODS: Data from 239 African-American women receiving care for HIV in Chicago, IL, or Birmingham, AL, enrolled in the Unity randomized controlled trial, were used in this secondary analysis. Threat of breast cancer was measured in terms of perceived susceptibility, fear, and adverse consequences as well as an overall perceived threat of breast cancer. We used multivariate models with generalized estimating equations to examine the relationship between internalized HIV-related stigma and breast health beliefs across three time points (baseline, immediately post-workshop, and at 12-month follow-up) and to examine if the study arm (HIV stigma reduction vs. breast cancer education) or social support moderated the relationship. RESULTS: Internalized HIV-related stigma was associated with greater overall perceived threat (p < 0.001), susceptibility (p = 0.03), fear (p < 0.001), and perceived adverse consequences (p < 0.001) of breast cancer. These associations remained consistent across study arms and across all levels of social support. CONCLUSIONS: Future studies that examine co-morbid health conditions among African-American women living with HIV should consider the impact of HIV-related stigma on attitudes and beliefs related to co-morbid conditions.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVES: African-American women suffer disproportionately from HIV, breast cancer, and other illnesses. Little is known about the relationship between internalized HIV-related stigma and health beliefs related to other illnesses, including breast cancer. Our study examined (1) the relationship between internalized HIV-related stigma and breast health beliefs over time and (2) the moderating effects of participating in a stigma reduction intervention and/or social support. METHODS: Data from 239 African-American women receiving care for HIV in Chicago, IL, or Birmingham, AL, enrolled in the Unity randomized controlled trial, were used in this secondary analysis. Threat of breast cancer was measured in terms of perceived susceptibility, fear, and adverse consequences as well as an overall perceived threat of breast cancer. We used multivariate models with generalized estimating equations to examine the relationship between internalized HIV-related stigma and breast health beliefs across three time points (baseline, immediately post-workshop, and at 12-month follow-up) and to examine if the study arm (HIV stigma reduction vs. breast cancer education) or social support moderated the relationship. RESULTS: Internalized HIV-related stigma was associated with greater overall perceived threat (p < 0.001), susceptibility (p = 0.03), fear (p < 0.001), and perceived adverse consequences (p < 0.001) of breast cancer. These associations remained consistent across study arms and across all levels of social support. CONCLUSIONS: Future studies that examine co-morbid health conditions among African-American women living with HIV should consider the impact of HIV-related stigma on attitudes and beliefs related to co-morbid conditions.
Entities:
Keywords:
African–American women; Breast cancer; HIV; Stigma
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