Internalized HIV Stigma, ART Initiation and HIV-1 RNA Suppression in South Africa: Exploring Avoidant Coping as a Longitudinal Mediator

Introduction Cross‐sectional evidence suggests that internalized HIV stigma is associated with lower likelihoods of antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation and HIV‐1 RNA suppression among people living with HIV (PLWH). This study examined these associations with longitudinal data spanning the first nine months following HIV diagnosis and explored whether avoidant coping mediates these associations.