Abstract:
Persons with HIV-associated Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) experience three co-existing stigmatizing health conditions: skin disease, HIV,
and cancer, which contribute to a complex experience of stigmatization and to delays in diagnosis and treatment. Despite the impor-
tance of stigma among these patients, there are few proven stigma-reduction strategies for HIV-associated malignancies. Using qual-
itative methods, we explore how people with HIV-associated KS in western Kenya between August 2022 and 2023 describe changes
in their stigma experience after participation in a multicomponent navigation strategy, which included 1) physical navigation and
care coordination, 2) video-based education with motivational survivor stories, 3) travel stipend, 4) health insurance enrollment
assistance, 5) health insurance stipend, and 6) peer mentorship. A purposive sample of persons at different stages of chemotherapy
treatment were invited to participate. Participants described how a multicomponent navigation strategy contributed to increased
knowledge and awareness, a sense of belonging, hope to survive, encouragement, and social support, which served as stigma mitiga-
tors, likely counteracting the major drivers of intersectional stigma in HIV-associated KS.