Depression and social support mediate the effect of HIV self-stigma on condom use intentions among Chinese HIV-infected men who have sex with men

ABSTRACT

HIV self-stigma in HIV positive men who have sex with men (HIVMSM) has been identified as one of the largest challenges of HIV prevention, and associates with numerous negative outcomes, including depression, decreased social support, and less condom use intentions. In the present study, 321 HIVMSM in Chengdu, China were recruited to examine the prevalence of condom use in the past months and intentions to use condoms in next six months; we also identify pathways between HIV self-stigma and intentions to use condoms by the structural equation modeling approach. Results showed that Chinese HIVMSM had the suboptimal prevalence of consistent condom use and low intentions to use condoms consistently. Additionally, depression and decreased social support were significant mediators between HIV self-stigma and condom use intentions. The complex pathways between HIV self-stigma and intentions to use condoms should be taken into account in the HIV prevention and intervention programs.

KEYWORDS:

• Men who have sex with men
• HIV self-stigma
• condom use intentions
• depression
• social support

Acknowledgments

The study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [81302479] and a grant from Lifespan/Tufts/Brown Center for AIDS Research [P30AI042853]. We thank the local NGO, Chengdu Tongle Health Counseling Service Center for its support. Our thanks also extend to all participants who have taken part in this study and all research assistants for their support on data collection.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China: [Grant Number 81302479]; Lifespan/Tufts/Brown Center for AIDS Research: [Grant Number P30AI042853].