Characterization of HIV-Related Stigma in Myanmar

Abstract

Characterizing HIV-related stigma and its impacts are important for interventions toward their elimination. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2016 to evaluate enacted and internalized stigma among adult people living with HIV (PLWH) across four cities in Myanmar using the India Stigma Index questionnaire. Multivariable regression analyses were performed to determine differences in measured enacted and internalized stigma outcomes. Among 1,006 participants, 89% reported any stigma indicator, 47% enacted stigma, and 87% internalized stigma. In regression analysis, city and duration of illness were associated with higher enacted stigma, and younger age was associated with higher internalized stigma. Those with HIV duration > 7.4 years had mean enacted stigma nearly 2 units higher than the overall mean. Internalized stigma increased with duration of illness and leveled off at 5 years. PLWH from smaller cities experienced lower stigma. In Myanmar, nearly 90% of PLWH experience stigma, results that reflect a unique transition point. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10461-023-03998-1.

Factors association of discriminatory attitudes toward people living with HIV/AIDS among adult citizens in Myanmar : an analysis of 2015-2016 Myanmar demographic and health survey

“…Although the study in Pakistan indicated that younger age groups exhibited fewer negative attitudes, it is essential to note that the study's sample exclusively consisted of adult citizens (Iqbal et al, 2019). Finally, our study aligns with the findings of a study conducted in Myanmar, which suggests that younger individuals exhibit more discriminatory attitudes than older individuals due to factors such as inadequate knowledge, awareness, and cultural and social influences (Aung et al, 2023).…”

“…Upon analysing and integrating these findings with the other data gathered in Myanmar, it was discovered that only a minority of 20% of the study's participants demonstrated favourable and positive attitudes towards individuals living with HIV. In contrast, 80% of the participants exhibited discriminatory attitudes (Aung et al, 2023), a cause for concern. Consistent with prior research, a study conducted in Myanmar revealed that a majority of individuals who tested positive for HIV, precisely over 80%, reported instances of discrimination (Aung et al, 2017).…”