The Impacts of Stigma Against Sexual Minority Men Within and Between Various Socioecological Levels: Breaking the Vicious Cycle in Zambia

Shan Qiao; Camryn M. Garrett; Prince N. O. Addo; Oluwafemi Adeagbo; Darius M. Moore; Nobutu Muttau; Anjali Sharma; Clementina Lwatula; Levy Ngosa; McLean Kabwe; Albert Manasyan; J. Anitha Menon; Sharon Weissman; Xiaoming Li; Gary W. Harper

doi:10.1177/15579883231209190

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The Impacts of Stigma Against Sexual Minority Men Within and Between Various Socioecological Levels: Breaking the Vicious Cycle in Zambia

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The Impacts of Stigma Against Sexual Minority Men Within and Between Various Socioecological Levels: Breaking the Vicious Cycle in Zambia

Shan Qiao, Camryn M. Garrett, Prince N. O. Addo, Oluwafemi Adeagbo, Darius M. Moore, Nobutu Muttau, Anjali Sharma, Clementina Lwatula, Levy Ngosa, McLean Kabwe, …

American journal of men's health, Vol.17(6), pp.1-12

11/01/2023

DOI: 10.1177/15579883231209190

PMCID: PMC10621297

PMID: 37909703

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Abstract

Sexual minority men (SMM) face persistent stigma in Zambia. From a holistic perspective, we aim to explore its impacts within and between multiple socioecological levels, demonstrating how their interactions create a vicious cycle of barriers to the well-being of SMM. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 purposively recruited SMM from Lusaka, Zambia. All interviews were audio-recorded, after written consent, transcribed verbatim, and iteratively coded employing inductive (i.e., data-driven) approaches for thematic analysis using NVivo. Results suggest three key themes: (1) interpersonal socially perpetuated sexual minority stigma (SMS); (2) multidirectional interactions between psychosocial well-being and risk-taking behaviors; and (3) institutionally perpetuated SMS as a barrier to seeking and receiving health care. SMS permeates across all levels of the socioecological model to negatively impact the psychosocial well-being of SMM while acting also as a barrier to accessing HIV prevention and care. Our study necessitates structural public health intervention to decrease stigma and discrimination against SMM in Zambia, in efforts to increase their psychosocial well-being as well as their access to and utilization of HIV care by breaking the vicious cycle of SMS that pervades through the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and institutional levels of the socioecological model.

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Title: Subtitle: The Impacts of Stigma Against Sexual Minority Men Within and Between Various Socioecological Levels: Breaking the Vicious Cycle in Zambia
Creators: Shan Qiao - University of South Carolina
Camryn M. Garrett - University of South Carolina
Prince N. O. Addo - University of South Carolina
Oluwafemi Adeagbo - University of Iowa
Darius M. Moore - University of Michigan
Nobutu Muttau - Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia
Anjali Sharma - University of Washington
Clementina Lwatula - University of Zambia
Levy Ngosa
McLean Kabwe
Albert Manasyan - Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia
J. Anitha Menon - University of Zambia
Sharon Weissman - University of South Carolina
Xiaoming Li - University of South Carolina
Gary W. Harper - University of Michigan
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: American journal of men's health, Vol.17(6), pp.1-12
DOI: 10.1177/15579883231209190
PMID: 37909703
PMCID: PMC10621297
NLM abbreviation: Am J Mens Health
ISSN: 1557-9883
eISSN: 1557-9891
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Grant note: R21TW011064 / ;
Language: English
Date published: 11/01/2023
Academic Unit: Community and Behavioral Health
Record Identifier: 9984502611602771

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