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eHealth for Stigma Reduction Efforts Designed to Improve Engagement in Care for People Living with HIV

  • HIV and Technology (J Simoni and K Ronen, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

HIV-related stigma remains a significant barrier to engagement in care for persons living with HIV (PLWH) worldwide. This review examines the use of eHealth technologies for reducing stigma as a pathway toward improved engagement in care for PLWH. We provide a brief overview of effective stigma reduction interventions for PLWH, both eHealth and others; identify gaps in the research on use of eHealth technologies for stigma reduction; and suggest potential research avenues moving forward.

Recent Findings

The majority of HIV-related eHealth studies use technology to improve ART adherence. To date, few HIV-related eHealth studies have included any measurement of stigma.

Summary

Given the current narrow evidence base, further research is needed to determine whether eHealth technologies can help to reduce stigma and improve engagement in care for PLWH.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Global Health and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Campus Mailbox 357965, Harris Hydraulics Building, 1705 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA, 98195-7175, USA

    Deepa Rao

  2. Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Sarah Frey

  3. Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Megan Ramaiya

Authors
  1. Deepa Rao
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  2. Sarah Frey
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  3. Megan Ramaiya
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Correspondence to Deepa Rao.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on HIV and Technology

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Rao, D., Frey, S. & Ramaiya, M. eHealth for Stigma Reduction Efforts Designed to Improve Engagement in Care for People Living with HIV. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep 15, 397–402 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11904-018-0414-z

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