Abstract
Background Stigma and discrimination are barriers to effective HIV treatment and care in Belarus. Results of the Stigma Index Survey conducted among people living with HIV (PLHIV) reveal that 40.5% of respondents experienced disclosure of their diagnosis and confidentiality breach by health care workers (HCW); 15.5% were refused medical care.
Highlights
Stigma and discrimination are barriers to effective HIV treatment and care in Belarus
Results of the Stigma Index Survey conducted among people living with HIV (PLHIV) reveal that 40.5% of respondents experienced disclosure of their diagnosis and confidentiality breach by health care workers (HCW); 15.5% were refused medical care
Possible reasons from workshops’ findings: HCW don’t realize what stigma is and don’t know their actions/ attitudes are discriminative; lack of knowledge about HIVinfection resulted in fear of contact with PLHIV; negative stereotypes regarding PLHIV exist among population as they “traditionally” represent risk-groups, “they are immoral and dangerous”
Summary
Stigma and discrimination are barriers to effective HIV treatment and care in Belarus. Results of the Stigma Index Survey conducted among people living with HIV (PLHIV) reveal that 40.5% of respondents experienced disclosure of their diagnosis and confidentiality breach by health care workers (HCW); 15.5% were refused medical care. Possible reasons from workshops’ findings: HCW don’t realize what stigma is and don’t know their actions/ attitudes are discriminative; lack of knowledge about HIVinfection resulted in fear of contact with PLHIV; negative stereotypes regarding PLHIV exist among population as they “traditionally” represent risk-groups (injection drug users, commercial sex workers, etc.), “they are immoral and dangerous”
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