Kimera, EmmanuelJessica, De MaeyerMugenyi, Justice KintuRubaihayo, JohnJohan, Bilsen2025-05-082025-05-082021-05-13Kimera, E., Vindevogel, S., Engelen, A. M., De Maeyer, J., Reynaert, D., Kintu, M. J., ... & Bilsen, J. (2021). HIV-related stigma among youth living with HIV in Western Uganda. Qualitative Health Research, 31(10), 1937-1950.https://doi.org/10.1177/10497323211012347https://nru.uncst.go.ug/handle/123456789/11520We present an explanatory theory for HIV-related stigma from the perspectives of youth living with HIV/AIDS (YLWHA) in Western Uganda, on which the fight against this relentless stigma in this age group and locality can be founded. A constant comparative method was used to analyze textual data from in-depth interviews with 35 YLWHA, selected from three health facilities. A stigma process model for YLWHA was developed with the stigmatizing feelings and behaviors as the core category. Concepts delineating causes, consequences, and moderators of HIV-related stigma emerged from the data to complete the stigma process. The specific focus on YLWHA and contextual characteristics adds new dimensions to the understanding of HIV-related stigma that are scant in existing HIV-related stigma models. In light of our findings, research is necessary to identify context-specific strategies to overcome the deep-rooted causes of stigmatizing views and behaviors in all social spheres of YLWHA within Western Uganda.enArticle