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. 2025 Apr 18;8(4):e70671.
doi: 10.1002/hsr2.70671. eCollection 2025 Apr.

Interventions and Their Effectiveness to Reduce HIV-Related Stigma Among Women Living With HIV: A Systematic Review Protocol

Zhongfang Yang  1   2   3   4 , Yue Zhang  1 , Lin Zhang  5 , Shuyu Han  6 , Zhijing Xu  4 , Yan Hu  1   2
Affiliations

Interventions and Their Effectiveness to Reduce HIV-Related Stigma Among Women Living With HIV: A Systematic Review Protocol

Zhongfang Yang et al. Health Sci Rep. .

Abstract

Background: HIV-related stigma is a significant barrier to accessing public health resources and achieving health equity in women living with HIV (WLWH). The complexity of eliminating stigma against WLWH is compounded by the dual characteristics of HIV and its chronic nature. In addition, WLWH often face weak social support. They experience social alienation and isolation. They also have difficulties in self-identification and finding a sense of belonging within the new identity associated with their condition. These factors present considerable challenges to interventions aimed at combating HIV-related stigma among WLWH. The purpose of this review is to identify interventions aimed at alleviating HIV-related stigma among WLWH and evaluate their effectiveness.

Methods: A systematic search of published studies from the inception of the databases to December 2024 will be conducted in China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP), China Biomedical Literature Service System (SinoMed), MEDLINE (OVID), Embase(OVID), CINAHL (EBSCO), ProQuest, Scopus, Cochrane Library to evaluate the effects of health promotion interventions on HIV-related stigma among WLWH. Two reviewers will independently assess the inclusion of each study, with any disagreements resolved by a third reviewer. Data will be extracted using predefined tables in accordance with best practices. Study quality will be assessed using the Effective Public Health Practice Project Quality Assessment Tool. A narrative synthesis of all studies will be presented, with appropriate statistical techniques applied to synthesize effectiveness data where feasible.

Results: The results of this review will be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed journal and shared online and on social media using accessible language and relevant infographics.

Conclusion: This review evaluates health promotion interventions for reducing HIV-related stigma among WLWH, identifying effective types and contexts. It addresses methodological strengths and weaknesses, providing policymakers insights into impactful interventions for global health and social care systems.

Systematic reviews registration: The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024571145).

Keywords: HIV/AIDS; gender equality; reduced inequalities; stigma; well‐being; women's health.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript. Yan Hu had full access to all of the data in this study and takes complete responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis. The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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