An exploratory study of the psychosocial consequences of stigma in men living with HIV in Mexico. Un estudio exploratorio de las consecuencias psicosociales del estigma en varones que viven con VIH en México.

Abstract

In the study, there were heard the voices of men living with HIV in a mexican community, in order to identify the psychosocial consequences of stigma in two aspects that have influence in the care of their own health: diagnosis revelation to family members, friends and sexual partners, and protected sex. There was carried out an exploratory study based in social constructionism, with group and individual interviews to ten participants. The results show that HIV-related stigma can affect the construction of social support networks for health care because it is an obstacle for diagnosis revelation. In the sexuality dimension, stigma can affect sexual relationships when it generates emotional discomfort and influences health care.