Knowledge, Stigma, and Behavioral Outcomes among Antiretroviral Therapy Patients Exposed to Nalamdana's Radio and Theater Program in Tamil Nadu, India.

ANTIVIRAL agents; ANALYSIS of variance; CHI-squared test; EPIDEMIOLOGY; HIV infections; MASS media; MULTIVARIATE analysis; PROBABILITY theory; RESEARCH funding; PSYCHOLOGY of the sick; SOCIAL stigma; DATA analysis; HEALTH literacy

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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