Knowledge, stigma, and behavioral outcomes among antiretroviral therapy patients exposed to Nalamdana's radio and theater program in Tamil Nadu, India
Nambiar, D.; Ramakrishnan, V.; Kumar, P.; Varma, R.; Balaji, N.; Rajendran, J.; Jhona, L.; Chandrasekar, C.; Gere, D.
Aids Education and Prevention Official Publication of the International Society for Aids Education 23(4): 351-366
2011
ISSN/ISBN: 0899-9546 PMID: 21861609 DOI: 10.1521/aeap.2011.23.4.351Document Number: 223587
Arts-based programs have improved HIV-related knowledge, attitudes, and behavior in general and at-risk populations. With HIV transformed into a chronic condition, this study compares patients at consecutive stages of receiving antiretroviral treatment, coinciding with exposure to a radio-and-theater-based educational program (unexposed [N = 120], just exposed [N = 77], Exposed a month ago [N = 60]). Exposure was associated with significantly higher HIV-related knowledge (15-20%, all p < .01), lower levels of stigma (2-7% lower, all p < .10), and over four times the adjusted odds of asking doctors questions about HIV (p = .07). Higher dose of exposure was associated with lower felt stigma (28% reduction per message recalled), greater odds of consistent condom use (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.12, p = .01), doctor-patient communication (AOR: 1.20, p = .003), peer advice-giving (AOR: 1.18, p = .03) and HIV-related advocacy (AOR: 2.35, p = .07). Similar partnerships between arts-based nongovernmental organizations and government hospitals may improve patient outcomes in HIV treatment settings.