Kamen Charles, Arganbright Jill, Kienitz Eliza, Weller Melissa, Khaylis Anna, Shenkman Tammy, Smith Sarah, Koopman Cheryl, Gore-Felton Cheryl
a Behavioral Medicine Unit , University of Rochester , Rochester , New York , USA.
Afr J AIDS Res. 2015;14(1):67-73. doi: 10.2989/16085906.2015.1016987.
An estimated 11% of the adult population in Malawi, Africa, is living with HIV/AIDS. The disease has taken a toll on communities, resulting in high morbidity and mortality. Malawian women carry the burden of being caretakers for individuals infected with HIV while also worrying about their own health. However, little is known about how HIV/ AIDS affects psychological functioning among Malawian women in areas hit hardest by the epidemic. To that end, this paper examined the influence of HIV-related stigma on symptoms of anxiety and depression among 59 women 17-46 years old who were recruited from the Namitete area of Malawi. Women who reported greater worry about being infected with HIV and greater HIV-related stigma were significantly more likely to report greater symptoms of anxiety and depression. These findings suggest that interventions that reduce HIV-related stigma are likely to enhance psychological functioning among Malawian women, which in turn will improve the women's quality of life and well-being.
据估计，非洲马拉维11%的成年人口感染了艾滋病毒/艾滋病。这种疾病给社区造成了损失，导致高发病率和高死亡率。马拉维妇女既要承担照顾艾滋病毒感染者的责任，又要担心自己的健康。然而，对于艾滋病毒/艾滋病如何影响受疫情影响最严重地区的马拉维妇女的心理功能，人们知之甚少。为此，本文研究了与艾滋病毒相关的耻辱感对从马拉维纳米泰特地区招募的59名17至46岁妇女焦虑和抑郁症状的影响。报告更担心感染艾滋病毒以及与艾滋病毒相关耻辱感更强的妇女，更有可能报告有更严重的焦虑和抑郁症状。这些发现表明，减少与艾滋病毒相关耻辱感的干预措施可能会增强马拉维妇女的心理功能，进而改善妇女的生活质量和幸福感。
