Numerous researches have
shown pernicious effects of stigma against people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).
However, no available studies have reported these negative effects including
emotional, physical to financial burdens to PLWHA.
In the current study, we aim
to explore different types of stigma (e.g., perceived, internalized and
enacted) and the relevant consequences among PLWHA in China. A cross-sectional
study was conducted from 2012 to 2013 in the Guangxi Autonomous Region in
China. The validated Berger HIV Stigma Scale was used to measure various types
of stigma. We employed a series of linear, logistic and polytomous regression
models to assess the association between stigma and different consequences while
accounting for potential confounders for each specific model.
Of the total
sample, 2987 PLWHA provided valid responses with 63% being male and having an
average age of 42.9 years. Perceived, internalized and enacted HIV stigma were
prevalent among participants, and resulted in various burdens with different
magnitudes in their life contexts.
Specially, PLWHA who reported higher
perceived and internalized stigma were more likely to be imposed on emotional
and physical burdens (p < .05). People who reported higher enacted stigma
had heavier financial burden compared to their peers (p < .05).
Our findings
revealed that devastating consequences of HIV-related stigma in China. The
prevalent stigmatizing attitudes have pushed PLWHA to the fringes of society
and affected them at multiple aspects in their life context.
We call for
tailored efforts to overcome stigma and discrimination against PLWHA.
Purchase full article at: http://goo.gl/Fdj3nZ
1 Vanderbilt Institute of Global Health , Vanderbilt
University , Nashville , TN , USA.
2 Arnold School of Public Health , University of South
Carolina , Columbia , SC , USA.
3 Department of Pediatrics , Wayne State University ,
Detroit , MI , USA.
4 Guangxi Center for Disease Control and Prevention ,
Nanning , People's Republic of China.
AIDS Care. 2016 Feb 17:1-8.
More at: https://twitter.com/hiv insight
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