An agricultural livelihood intervention is associated with reduced HIV stigma among people with HIV

Objective: HIV stigma undermines antiretroviral treatment (ART) adherence and viral suppression. Livelihood interventions may target drivers of negative attitudes towards people with HIV (PWH) by improving their health and strengthening their economic contributions. We examined the effects of a multisectoral agricultural livelihood intervention on HIV stigma among PWH in western Kenya.

Design: Sixteen health facilities were randomly allocated (1 : 1) to intervention or control arms in Shamba Maisha , a cluster randomized controlled trial that aimed to improve HIV-related health through behavioral, mental health, and nutritional pathways.

Methods: The intervention included a farming loan and agricultural and financial training. Participants had access to farmland and surface water and were at least 18 years old, on ART for more than 6 months, and moderately-to-severely food insecure. We measured internalized, anticipated, and enacted HIV stigma semiannually over 2 years using validated scales. In blinded intent-to-treat analyses, we compared changes in scores over 24 months by study arm, using longitudinal multilevel difference-in-differences linear regression models that accounted for clustering.

Results: Of 720 enrolled participants (354 intervention), 55% were women, and the median age was 40 years [interquartile range 34-47 years]. Two-year retention was 94%. Compared with the control arm, the intervention resulted in significant decreases ( P < 0.001) of 0.42 points [95% confidence interval (CI) -0.52 to -0.31) in internalized stigma, 0.43 points (95% CI -0.51 to -0.34) in anticipated stigma, and 0.13 points (95% CI -0.16 to -0.09) in enacted stigma over 24 months.

Conclusion: The agricultural livelihood intervention reduced HIV stigma among PWH. Poverty-reduction approaches may be a novel strategy for reducing HIV stigma.