Stigma against patients with HIV/AIDS in the rapid expansion of antiretroviral treatment in large drug injection-driven HIV epidemics of Vietnam

Abstract

BackgroundDespite existing efforts to provide antiretroviral treatment (ART) for all HIV-diagnosed people, stigma deprives them of the highest attainable health status and challenges the effectiveness of ART program in Vietnam. This study aimed to assess five dimensions of HIV-related stigma and explore its associated factors among ART patients in a multisite survey. Implications of this study support the development of HIV policies to improve patients’ access, utilization, and outcomes of ART program toward the 90-90-90 goal in Vietnam.MethodsA total of 1133 ART patients who were recruited by convenience sampling method from 8 ART clinics in Hanoi and Nam Dinh in a cross-sectional study from January to August 2013. Multivariate logistic regression was employed to identify factors associated with stigmatization.ResultsThe majority of participants reported experiencing stigmatization due to shame (36.9%), blame/judge (21.6%), and discrimination (23.4%). Further, 91.5% of participants disclosed their HIV status with others. The likelihood of experiencing stigmatization did not only associate with the patients’ socioeconomic status (e.g., age, occupation, education) and HIV status disclosure, but also their health problems. Those with anxiety or depression and perceived lower quality of life were more likely to experience stigma.ConclusionsTo maximize the efficiency of the ART program, it is essential to develop interventions that reduce stigma involving individuals, families, and communities, and recognize and address complex health problems especially those patients showing depressive symptoms. Increasing quality of life of HIV-positive patients by providing vocational training, financial, family, and peer support will reduce the likelihood of experiencing stigma.

The second national tuberculosis prevalence survey in Vietnam

“…The HIV status of the participants was not assessed in our study because the invasive HIV blood test could impede the willingness to participate in the survey and further complicate our procedures. Also, self-reported HIV status is unreliable in Vietnam due to the high level of HIV-related stigma [20]. However, the lack of HIV data is unlikely to have biased our result, since the prevalence of individual with TB-HIV co-infection in Vietnam is low, only 2.7% among notified TB cases in 2017 [21].…”

Buddhists Care: Examining the Impact of Religious Elements on Reducing Discriminatory Attitudes toward People Living with HIV/AIDS

“…Current research into HIV/AIDS advertisements mainly focus on demographic variance (e.g., different racial groups) (Khuat et al 2004), general emotional motivation (e.g., fear) (Scalvini 2010), and knowledgeable education (Fuqua 2002). An intervention may incorporate mass media communication to elevate its value and reduce discrimination associated with HIV, and hence improve multiple outcomes such as mental health status, substance use, social isolation, and employment (Tran et al 2019). Though religious beliefs have been discussed as a crucial factor to influence public health (Blevins et al 2019;Chatters 2002;Idler 2015), the role of faith-based determinants have seldom been studied in the research into advertisements against HIV/AIDS-related discrimination.…”

Overview of Stigma against Psychiatric Illnesses and Advancements of Anti-Stigma Activities in Six Asian Societies

“…Stigma is an attitude of disapproval towards a specific group of people with different characteristics [1]. Discrimination occurs when a group of people with stigmatizing attitudes deny another group of people of their rights by exclusion and marginalization [2].…”