Factors Associated With HIV-Related Stigma Toward People Living With HIV Among Nurses in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, China: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Yao Yin,Shaoping Wan,Hong Chen,Angela Chia-Chen Chen

doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.714597

Abstract

Background: The Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture has one of the most serious human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemics in China. Evidence shows HIV-related stigma toward people living with HIV (PLWH) among nurses impedes HIV prevention and treatment. However, only limited research about HIV-related stigma toward PLWH from the perspective of nurses in Liangshan has been conducted.Objective: This study aimed to assess HIV-related stigma toward PLWH among nurses and determine factors associated with it in Liangshan, China.Design: We conducted a cross-sectional survey using a stratified, random cluster sampling method.Participants: Registered nurses (N = 1,248; primary hospitals = 102, secondary hospitals = 592, tertiary hospitals = 554) who were aged 18 or older, worked in the selected hospitals for at least 6 months, and consented to participate were recruited.Methods: All participants completed an anonymous online survey measuring sociodemographic characteristics, HIV-related stigma and HIV knowledge. We used multiple stepwise regression analysis to examine factors associated with HIV-related stigma toward PLWH among these nurses.Results: The mean score of HIV-related stigma among nurses was 50.7 (SD = 8.3; range 25–78). Nurses who were more experienced, had higher levels of education, and were working in tertiary hospitals reported higher level of HIV-related stigma. Those who had better HIV knowledge, reported a willingness to receive HIV-related training, were working in areas that had a high prevalence of HIV, had prior experience working in AIDS specialized hospitals, and worked in hospitals that had policies to protect PLWH showed a lower level of HIV-related stigma toward PLWH.Conclusions: Our findings suggested that providing culturally congruent education and training about HIV and care, and having hospitals that promoted policies protecting PLWH, may reduce HIV-related stigma toward PLWH among nurses in China.

Highlights

The Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture has one of the most serious human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemics in China
Researchers suggest that HIVrelated stigma is still a barrier for people living with HIV (PLWH) to disclose their HIV status and to seek and adhere to treatments; this barrier has an adverse impact on their health [2,3,4]
Regarding HIV-related experience and training, only 12.7% (n = 158) of the participants had prior experience working in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) specialized hospitals, 84.2% (n = 1,051) of them had provided care for PLWH

Summary

Introduction

The Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture has one of the most serious human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemics in China. Evidence shows HIV-related stigma toward people living with HIV (PLWH) among nurses impedes HIV prevention and treatment. Stigma related to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is prevalent and has been identified to be a major barrier for HIV prevention and treatment [1]. Researchers suggest that HIVrelated stigma is still a barrier for people living with HIV (PLWH) to disclose their HIV status and to seek and adhere to treatments; this barrier has an adverse impact on their health [2,3,4]. HIV-related stigma exists in nursing care worldwide and has large impact on the health outcomes of PLWH [5,6,7,8,9]. Empirical evidence shows that the main causes of HIV-related stigma among healthcare providers are their lack of awareness of the stigma perceived by PLWH and the negative impact of stigma on PLWH, fear of casual contact due to poor knowledge about HIV transmission and the association of HIV with improper or immoral behavior [15]

Methods

Results

Conclusion