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. 2017 Jul 25;12(7):e0181568. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0181568

Table 1. Key themes, examples, coping strategies, and effects on food insecurity.

Theme Examples Coping Strategies Precipitates or exacerbates food insecurity through:
Enacted and felt stigma in formal and informal economic sectors Illegal testing for HIV (especially in the hotel industry and free trade zones), labor market discrimination
  • Do not disclose HIV-positive status to employers or social network

  • Avoid applying for jobs

  • Quit job

  • On-going emotional distress, fear, and worry

  • Job loss; inability to acquire a job

  • Economic instability

Community gossip leading to job loss in the informal sector
Stigma in home and community settings Gossip and verbal abuse
  • Refuse food assistance from neighbors

  • Move away from family and community

  • Do not disclose HIV status to close family or friends

  • Delay or avoid healthcare treatment to avoid breaches in confidentiality or seeing/being seen by neighbors

  • Lack of food for self and family

  • Loss of support networks

  • On-going emotional distress, fear, and worry

  • Worse physical and mental health due to delays in receiving healthcare services

Intimate relationships and domestic violence Abandonment
  • Leave or lose partner; become a primary caregiver

  • Endure abuse or emotionally unhealthy relationships to retain food and economic support

  • Self-isolate and refuse to find a new partner

  • Loss of financial and emotional support

  • Physical and psychological harm

  • Internalized stigma

Partner violence and abuse
Theme Examples Coping Strategies Addresses food insecurity through:
Social and economic support Food provided by friends and family
  • Receive supplementary food from family and friends

  • Receive social support from existing social networks

  • Develop new social networks that provide information and encouragement

  • Improved food access for self and children

  • Improved psychological and emotional wellbeing

HIV support groups–psychosocial support