Experienced and anticipated HIV-related stigma and depression among pregnant and postpartum women living with HIV in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana: the role of internalized HIV stigma

Internalized HIV stigma significantly mediates the effects of both experienced and anticipated stigma on depressive symptoms in postpartum WLWH in Ghana. These findings highlight internalized stigma as a key psychological mechanism linking social adversity to poor mental health in this population. Integrating stigma-reduction strategies and targeted mental health support into postnatal HIV care may be critical for improving psychological and physical health outcomes among postpartum WLWH in resource-limited settings.