The relationship between HIV stigma and adherence to antiretroviral (ARV) drug therapy among women with HIV in Lampung, Indonesia

Objective: The aim of our study was to examine the relationship between HIV stigma and adherence to antiretroviral (ARV) therapy among women with HIV. Method: 120 women with HIV involved in this cross-sectional study. The participant were outpatients at the Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) Abdul Moeloek Hospital in Lampung, Indonesia. Results: We examined data from 120 patients. Through chi-squared tests, a statistically significant correlation between HIV stigma and adherence to ARV therapy was revealed (p-value = 0.045; OR 2.274) women with low levels of stigma toward HIV demonstrated adherence to ARV treatment that was 2.27 times greater than that of women with high levels of stigma toward HIV. Conclusions: One way to increase adherence to ARV therapy in women with HIV is by minimizing its stigma. This can be done by increasing their self-confidence and not differentiating between people living with HIV and others in the provision of health services.