Amsterdam 2015
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| Abstract #2032 - Poster 1 | ||||
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Session: 58.3: Poster 1 (Poster) on Tuesday in Chaired by Authors: Presenting Author: Ms Chen Zhang - Vanderbilt University, United States |
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| Additional Authors: Dr Kouassi Martin, Mr Brou Sylvain, | ||||
| Aim: Numerous researchers have demonstrated the pernicious effects of stigma against people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) including avoidance of health care, suboptimal engagement to antiretroviral treatment, psychological distress and loss of income, which all fuel the AIDS pandemic in China. However, no available studies have reported these negative effects as a continuum that ranged from emotional, physical to financial burden to PLWHA. Even scarcer studies differentiated each specific type of stigma and the related consequences. In the current study, we aim to explore different types of stigma (e.g., perceived, internalized and enacted) and the sequelae among PLWHA in China. We hypothesized that different types of stigma impose various burdens on PLWHA. | ||||
| Method / Issue: A cross-sectional study was conducted from 2012 to 2013 in Guangxi Autonomous Region in China. A total of 3,002 PLWHA were randomly ed from top 12 cities/counties in terms of numbers of reported HIV cases in Guangxi, with approximately 10% from each site. The validated Berger HIV Stigma Scale was used to measure exposure variables. Emotional outcomes were measured by depression (a=0.88), anxiety (a=0.87), and substance use. Physical status was evaluated by CD4 counts, HIV viral load, and the fitness scale (a=0.92). Financial situation was assessed by monthly income, employment status, and balance between income and expenditure. We employed a series of linear, logistic, and polytomous regression models to assess the association between stigma and different outcomes while accounting for identified confounders for each specific model. | ||||
| Results / Comments: Of the total sample, 2,987 PLWHA provided valid responses with 63% being male and having an average age of 42.9 years. HIV related perceived, internalized, and enacted stigma was prevalent among participants, and resulted in a continuum of burdens with different magnitudes. Specially, PLWHA who reported higher perceived and internalized stigma were more likely to be imposed on emotional and physical burden (p<0.05). While people who reported higher enacted stigma, they had heavier financial burden compared to their peers (p<0.05). | ||||
| Discussion: Our findings revealed the devastating consequences caused by HIV related stigma in China. The prevalent stigmatizing attitudes have pushed PLWHA to the fringes of society and affected them at every aspect in their life context. We call for more universal effects to overcome sigma and discrimination against PLWHA. By prioritizing anti-stigma programmes, we need to involve stakeholders from all arms in the society. Eliminating stigma is not only to make PLWHA enjoy better psychosocial and physical status as well as empower them financially, but also it is an effective weapon to curb the HIV epidemic both in China and other resource-stretched settings. | ||||
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