ArticleBMC public health2023
Supportive couple relationships buffer against the harms of HIV stigma on HIV treatment adherence.
Article in BMC public health, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 18 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
18 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 19 citations in OpenAlex.
- Relationship quality among people living with HIV/AIDS: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Health and quality of life outcomes · 2026Pooled it
- Unmet need for family planning among reproductive-age women living with HIV in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC women's health · 2026Pooled it
- Couple-Based Intervention to Improve HIV Care Engagement for Women and their Partners in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: Outcomes of a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS CareTrial
- Understanding HIV epidemiology: a comprehensive analysis of demographic, clinical, and virological profiles of patients with HIV at a tertiary care center.IJID regions · 2026Article
- Digitally Adapting LGBTQ-Affirmative Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chinese Men Who Have Sex With Men Living With HIV: User-Centered Design Approach.Journal of medical Internet research · 2026Article
- Psychological distress and dyadic trust in Italian women awaiting colposcopy after positive cervical cancer screening: a cross-sectional study.BMC women's health · 2026Observational
- "AIDS care · 2026Article
- Intersectional Stigma and Health of People Living with HIV on ART Who Use Alcohol in Southwestern Uganda.AIDS and behavior · 2026Article
- Interventions for thriving in HIV serodiscordant relationships in Sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review.BMC public health · 2026Article
- Exploring determinants of quality of life for virally suppressed people with HIV in Northern Taiwan.BMC infectious diseases · 2026Article
- Epidemiological characteristics of people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Pointe-Noire, Republic of congo.BMC infectious diseases · 2026Article
- Impact of Universal Test and Treat (UTT) on anticipated stigma among patients newly diagnosed with HIV in Johannesburg, South Africa: A cross-sectional study.PLOS global public health · 2026Article
- Article
- Predictors of perceived HIV stigma among people who inject drugs in the United States.Harm reduction journal · 2025Article
- Insights into medication adherence among HIV-positive patients: the integrated change model.AIDS research and therapy · 2025Article
- Face-to-face, confidential and health worker-led: Understanding the preferences for behavioral health services among people with HIV in Lesotho.Global mental health (Cambridge, England) · 2025Article
- Article
- Barriers to accessing care for cardiometabolic disorders in Malawi: partners as a source of resilience for people living with HIV.International journal for equity in health · 2024Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
6 authors at 4 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
introductionHIV stigma can impact couple relationships through stress or bring partners closer through shared experiences. Conversely, couple relationships may protect against the harms of stigma, including anticipated stigma on negative health outcomes. Yet few studies have assessed the potential link between HIV stigma, relationship dynamics, and antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence. Using dyadic data from a cross-sectional study of Malawian couples living with HIV, we tested associations between anticipated stigma and: 1) relationship dynamics (e.g., trust, sexual satisfaction, communication) and partner support; and 2) self-reported ART adherence.
methodsHeterosexual couples (211 couples, 422 individuals) with at least one partner on ART were recruited from clinics in Zomba, Malawi. Partners completed separate surveys on anticipated stigma, relationship dynamics, and ART adherence. Linear mixed models evaluated associations between anticipated stigma and relationship dynamics, and whether associations varied by gender. Generalized estimating equation models tested for associations between anticipated stigma and high ART adherence (90-100% vs. < 90%) at the individual level, and whether they were moderated by relationship dynamics at the couple level.
resultsCouples' relationship length averaged 12.5 years, 66.8% were HIV sero-concordant, and 95.6% reported high ART adherence. In multivariable models, sexual satisfaction (β = -0.22, 95%CI = -0.41;-0.03, p = 0.020) and partner social support (β = -0.02, 95%CI = -0.04;-0.01, p < 0.01) were negatively associated with anticipated stigma. Significant interaction effects showed that adherence is moderated in couples with higher partner support and sexual satisfaction such that adherence is lowest when anticipated stigma is high and social support is low, and that adherence is lowest when anticipated stigma is high and sexual satisfaction is low.
conclusionsIncreased anticipated stigma is most associated with lower ART non-adherence at lower levels of social support and sexual satisfaction. Conversely, supportive and fulfilling relationships may buffer the negative association between stigma and ART adherence. Couples' interventions that focus on improving communication and support systems within couples could reduce the negative impacts of anticipated stigma on couples living with HIV.
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Registered trials
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