AIDS-related stigma has received increasing attention in the literature; however, little is known about the devastating impact it has on rural women living with AIDS (WLA) in India. This cross-sectional study (N = 68), analyzed from complete baseline data, identified a number of correlates of stigma among rural WLA in South India. Structured instruments were used to capture sociodemographic history, stigma, knowledge of HIV, depressive symptoms along with the recording of CD4 data. A higher level of felt stigma and more AIDS symptoms were related to avoidant coping, while fewer adherence strategies and lower support for ART adherence were also associated with avoidant coping. These findings promote the need for support and resources for rural India WLA.

While depression may be commonly experienced by persons living with AIDS, it may be challenging for health care providers to identify persons who are suffering from these symptoms, particularly if they are living in the more isolated rural areas of India. The purpose of this study was to assess correlates of depression among women living with AIDS in rural Andhra Pradesh. A total of 68 rural women living with AIDS (WLA) who were completed baseline data were assessed by means of structured instruments. Regression modeling revealed that disclosure avoidance and making at least six health care visits in the last six months were all associated with depression. Further, living with a spouse was associated with lower depressive symptom scores. Stigma was not found to be associated with depression. Understanding correlates of depression can lead the way to the designing culturally-tailored intervention that mitigates disclosure avoidance and improves the health of women. A more comprehensive health focus may be needed to empower the women to seek quality care for both physical as well as mental health symptomatology.