Stigma Reported by People Living With HIV in South Central China

Abstract

This cross-sectional study described the level of stigma reported by people living with HIV (PLWH) in south central China and identified factors associated with the individuals' perceptions of stigma. The authors carried out face-to-face interviews among 322 PLWH. Over half (51%) reported experiencing stigma, 78% reported feelings of negative self-worth, 75% reported interpersonal insecurity, 84% experienced financial problems, and 58% worried about disclosure of their disease. High levels of self-perceived stigma were associated with subjects who were injection drug users (p = .001), who were less satisfied with responses from family members (p = .001), who had disclosed their HIV status widely (p = .001), and who reported poorer health status (p = .001). Nurses working with PLWH should carry out psychological assessments and care without judgmental attitudes and help PLWH disclose their HIV status to family members, which could reduce HIV-related stigma in the context of Chinese culture.

Investigation of perceived stigma among people living with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome in Henan Province, China

“…Several other studies have shown that the HIV transmission route influences perceived stigma [10,11]. The present study showed a marked difference between individuals infected with HIV by commercial plasma donors and those infected by other routes.…”

Strengthening Nurses' Capacity to Provide HIV Care in China

“…It could also be because of culturally relevant moral judgments about the modes of disease transmission and high-risk groups. In particular, socially marginalized people living in remote areas are most likely to be stigmatized (Chan, Yang, Zhang, & Reidpath, 2007;Hong et al, 2008;Li, Wang, Williams, & He, 2009). Stigma has also led to fewer social resources being available to HIV-infected people in China Zhou, 2009).…”

Medical Discrimination Affects the HIV/AIDS Epidemic Control: A Study of Self-Perceived Medical Discrimination on People Living with HIV or AIDS

“…In this way, PLWHA can avoid being discriminated against by medical personnel so that they can be treated properly. Meanwhile, several other studies have shown that the HIV infection route influenced perceived discrimination (Li et al 2009;Brener et al 2013). A possible explanation for this situation could be that individuals with sexual transmission usually had a chaotic sex life that was contrary to a normal dating relationship, and they may be more afraid of the reception that their illness may receive from family members and especially from their spouses.…”