AUTHOR=Sharma Anjali , Mwamba Chanda , St Clair-Sullivan Natalie , Chihota Belinda V. , Pry Jake M. , Bolton-Moore Carolyn , Vinikoor Michael J. , Muula Guy K. , Daultrey Harriet , Gittelsohn Joel , Mulenga Lloyd. B. , Siyumbwa Namasiku , Wandeler Gilles , Vera Jaime H. 

TITLE=The Social Construction of Aging Among a Clinic-Based Population and Their Healthcare Workers in Zambia

JOURNAL=International Journal of Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 69 - 2024

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/international-journal-of-public-health/articles/10.3389/ijph.2024.1606607

DOI=10.3389/ijph.2024.1606607

ISSN=1661-8564

ABSTRACT=We sought to understand the social construction of ageing in a clinic-based population, with and without HIV, to address gaps in caring for aged people living with HIV in Zambia.Our exploratory qualitative study included 36 in-depth interviews with clinic clients and four focus group discussions with 36 professional and lay healthcare workers providing services to the clients. We identified themes based on social construction theory.Results: Ageing at an individual level was multidimensional, being perceived as both an achievement in the HIV era and a period of cognitive, physical, and economic decline. In social interactions, aged individuals were often stereotyped and treated as helpless, poor, and 'witches.' Those living with HIV faced additional stigma, being labelled as promiscuous. Some without HIV refused daily medication for non-communicable diseases to avoid being mistaken as taking antiretroviral therapy for HIV. Aged people wanted quality healthcare and family support to combat the intersectional stigma of aging, poverty, and chronic conditions.Multi-layered interventions are required to combat age-related prejudice, intersectional stigma, and discriminatory practices, particularly for those living with HIV.