Stigma, discrimination, and sexual (dis)satisfaction among people living with HIV: results from the “AIDES et toi” survey

Abstract

The effects of HIV-related stigma and discrimination have been studied in several areas, such as access to testing, quality of care quality, and access to work. Nevertheless, the effects of stigma and discrimination on the sexual life of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) have not been studied enough. AIDES, a French community-based organization, has developed a biannual survey which assesses several socioeconomical and psychosocial dimensions of the people in contact with this organization. A focus on the results concerning sexual (dis)satisfaction and the factors associated are presented here. A convenience sample of 521 HIV-positive men having sex with men, heterosexual men and women was analyzed. A logistic regression was performed to examine which factors were significantly associated with sexual dissatisfaction. Results showed that being older, not having a full-time job, not having a steady sexual partner, lower frequency of sexual intercourse, discrimination in the sexual relationship setting, and the perception of loneliness were independently associated with sexual dissatisfaction. A quality health approach must include the aspects linked to sexual life and sexual satisfaction. Given the potentially harmful effects that HIV-related stigma and discrimination have on PLWHA's well-being, more specific actions and advocacy in this direction should be developed and implemented.

Keywords:

• HIV/AIDS
• sexual satisfaction
• stigma
• discrimination
• community-based organization

Acknowledgements

We thank all the people who answered the “AIDES et toi” survey and all those who participated in the data collection. We thank our colleagues Joanne Otis and Martin Blais from the University of Québec for their participation in the design of the survey and the preparation of the database, and Marie Préau from the Psychology Department of Nantes University for her helpful comments of the draft. Finally, we thank Grace Cunnane for her valuable help with the correction of the present article.