A Cross-Sectional Study of Risk Factors for Internalized Stigma among People with HIV in Washington, DC: Evaluating Modification by Gender

Objectives There is a high prevalence of internalized stigma among people with HIV (PWH) and it is possible that factors associated with stigma differ by gender. Therefore, we evaluated whether gender is an effect modifier of the association between covariates and internalized stigma among 694 PWH. Methods Linear regression with interaction terms between covariates and gender was used to evaluate significant associations and test for interactions. Results We found a 10-year increase in age was associated with lower stigma among women (β (95% CI): −0.20 (−0.30, −0.10)) but not among men (β = 0). Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) was associated with higher stigma (GAD & GAD-squared β (95% CI): 0.12 (0.08, 0.187), −0.004 (−0.006, −0.001)) and an increased time since HIV diagnosis was associated with lower stigma (β (95% CI): −0.20 (−0.30, −0.10)). Conclusions Gender-specific interventions should be developed to account for the differences in the association between age and stigma across genders.