HIV-Related Stigma and Multidimensional Frailty Among Older Latinos With HIV

<strong>Introduction:</strong> Frailty is a geriatric syndrome of increased vulnerability to stressors marked by a higher risk for poor health outcomes. HIV-related stigma is a stressor for Latino people with HIV (PWH) and an important barrier to HIV care. This study examines the association between HIV-related stigma and multidimensional frailty among older Latino PWH. <strong>Methods:</strong> A cross-sectional design with 120 Latino PWH aged 50 and older&thinsp;was used. Self-reported questionnaires were administered to assess multidimensional frailty (Tilburg Frailty Indicator) and HIV-related stigma (HIV stigma scale). <strong>Results:</strong> Participants were 59.1&thinsp;&plusmn;&thinsp;7.0 years old, primarily White-Hispanic (85.00%, <em>n&thinsp;</em>=&thinsp;102), single (48.33%, <em>n&thinsp;</em>=&thinsp;58), and male (73.30%, <em>n&thinsp;</em>=&thinsp;88). Nearly half of the participants were frail (45.85%, <em>n&thinsp;</em>=&thinsp;55). Compared to non-frail, frail individuals had significantly higher scores in the total HIV-related stigma (<em>M&thinsp;</em>=&thinsp;98.5&thinsp;&plusmn;&thinsp;24.7 vs. <em>M&thinsp;</em>=&thinsp;85.3&thinsp;&plusmn;&thinsp;25.6, <em>p&thinsp;</em>=&thinsp;.020) and all subscales. The odds of multidimensional frailty were 1.021 times higher for people with higher HIV-related stigma scores (<em>p&thinsp;</em>=&thinsp;.007). This association remained significant after adjustment for income and comorbidities (<em>p&thinsp;</em>=&thinsp;.049). <strong>Conclusions:</strong> HIV-related stigma among older Latino PWH was significantly associated with their odds of being frail. Efforts to prevent multidimensional frailty should consider addressing HIV-related stigma through age-appropriate and culturally tailored resources for this group.