Examining HIV-stigma interventions among youth living in sub-Sahara Africa: a systematic review of the evidence

HIV-related stigma is a major barrier to accessing prevention, care, and treatment services. Unaddressed HIV stigma weakens the innovative scientific discoveries and efforts of researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to combat HIV/AIDS. The review investigated the effects of stigma-informed intervention studies conducted in sub-Saharan Africa that measured an outcome related to HIV. We reviewed 248 articles; 13 met our inclusion criteria and were the focus of this study. The findings showed a wide variety of intervention types, from specific to general stigma outcomes. Study outcomes were categorized into HIV prevention and treatment, emotional and behavioral, and external and perceived outcomes. Some studies showed positive effects on stigma; however, research methodologies across studies varied considerably. We conclude that more rigorous research is needed to build evidence for effective stigma reduction and uncover the social and cultural conditions that make HIV stigma so perversive.