IntroductionInformation and communication technology (ICT) has emerged as promising to support health care consumers, including informal caregivers. This systematic review seeks to evaluate the state of the science of ICT interventions on the health of informal dementia caregivers.MethodsWe searched PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, and PsycINFO using concepts associated with ICT, dementia, and caregiver. Studies were assessed using the Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies.ResultsWe identified 657 full-text publications. After removal of duplicates and title, abstract, and full-text screening, the quality of 12 studies was assessed. Studies varied in technology, implementation, results, and intervention evaluation.DiscussionThe methodological quality of the ICT intervention studies among dementia family caregivers was moderate to strong, yet outcome measurement was not uniform. The evidence is strongest for various forms of telephone-based interventions. However, there is a need for research that includes heterogeneous participants based on gender, race, and ethnicity.

African Americans are disproportionally affected by HIV/AIDS compared with other races/ethnicities, yet few studies have examined the cultural and/or attitudinal precursors that can make African American women vulnerable to HIV-related stigma in the rural South. This study qualitatively explored the meaning and perceptions of HIV-related stigma among African American women in Florida. Thirteen semi-structured interviews were conducted using an empirical phenomenological approach. Five observer perspectives and 26 participant perspectives emerged. Participants described stigma through self-conceptualizations (e.g., ignorance), experiences (e.g., judgments), psychological dysfunction (e.g., mental health), intersectionality (e.g., race, disability), and overcoming stigma (e.g., advocacy). Our findings reveal that HIV-related stigma is unpleasant for African American women. However, over time, women in this study developed strategies to combat stigma. Elements of stigma reduction described in this study may be an important starting point for designing a culturally targeted intervention for African American women living with HIV.

Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) disproportionately affects the Southern United States, accounting for approximately 46% of people living with HIV. HIV-related stigma is recognized as a barrier to testing, treatment, and prevention efforts. However, little is known about HIV-related stigma experiences in Florida. Using data collected from the Florida Medical Monitoring Project, we sought to examine individual characteristics associated with HIV-related stigma. Methods: We analyzed secondary data from the 2015-2016 Medical Monitoring Project in Florida (n = 603). Stigma was measured using the 10-item HIV Stigma Scale. Exploratory factor analysis of the HIV Stigma Scale revealed three subscales: negative self-image, anticipated, and personalized stigma. Bivariate and multivariate regression models were used to determine the individual characteristics associated with the HIV Stigma Scale. Results: Multivariate analysis indicated that people with severe depression scores (OR: 3.13; CI: 1.38-7.13) and persons with disability (OR: 1.64; CI: 1.03-2.61) had significantly increased odds of higher overall stigma. In the subscale analyses, negative self-image was significantly associated with alcohol misuse (OR: 2.02; CI: 1.15-3.56) depression (OR: 2.81; CI: 1.38-5.72) and/or those who identify as homosexual (OR: 0.54; CI: 0.31-0.93). Anticipated stigma was significantly associated with people who had mild-moderate depression (OR: 3.03; CI: 1.20-7.65), severe depression (OR: 2.87; CI: 1.38-5.98), identified as Black (OR: 0.60; CI: 0.37-0.98), non-injection drug use (OR: 0.55; CI: 0.33-0.91), and/or people aged 50 years and older (OR: 0.28; CI: 0.09-0.82). Personalized stigma was not associated with any of the variables examined. Conclusions: The implications of these findings reveal that certain individuals are more vulnerable to stigma. Researchers could consider distinct stigma interventions strategies based on the characteristics of specific individuals (i.e., targeting depression, disability, sexual orientation, avoidant coping, racial/ethnic groups, and youth) in Florida.