Stigma and Discrimination Towards HIV in Healthcare Workers in Shenzhen, China

Abstract

Introduction: To measure HIV-related stigma and discrimination (S&D) among health care facilities in Bao’an, Shenzhen to inform decision making regarding stigma-reduction intervention.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a standardized measurement tool between October 2019 and January 2020 among 1235 staff randomly sampled from 18 public and private hospitals. Data relevant to respondents’ demographic information, drivers of HIV related S&D, enacted stigma, and stigma towards pregnant women living with HIV were collected for analysis.Results: Percentage of medical staff worrying occupational exposure to HIV infection when dressing wound, drawing blood and doing delivery are 82.8%, 82.1% and 81.9%, respectively. Gender, specialty, training and hospital funding are independent factors affecting health staff’s anxiety over infection. 75.2% respondents believe that people living with HIV (PLWH) should seek care exclusively from designated hospital specializing in infectious disease and more than 50% of health staff survey reported over-protective measures. Conclusion: S&D toward PLWH as well as its drivers are widely prevalent among health care facilities. Findings of this study highlight the importance of stigma-reduction interventions to ensure equal access to health care by PLWH.