Abstract
Abstract Background Individuals with disabilities are the people in which health inequalities are mostly experienced. Stigmatization of disabled people reduces their participation in society and causes insufficient health care. Not stigmatize disabled people by health care providers is important to eliminate this insufficiency. The aim of the study was to determine the stigmatization level and communication related factors of students educated in health-related faculties. Methods This cross-sectional study conducted in 873 university students who educated in health-related faculties. The level of stigmatization was measured with Disability Stigma Scale(DSS) including the items used in study performed by Mclaughlin et al. The questionnaire consists of sociodemographics and items of contact with disabled persons(CDP) scale. Results The mean age of study group was 20.19 ± 1.63, and the 71% were female. The prevelance of stigmatization for disabled people was 33.7%. Of 62.3% study group scored below the mean score from CDP scale. In univariate analysis, the prevelance of stigma was higher in the male group (p < 0.001), low education level group (p < 0.005) and low communication level group (p = 0.020). In multivariate analysis, the risk of stigma for disabled people increases 2.1 times (OR;95% CI, 1.53-2.85) in male group, reduces 0.70 times (0.53-0.93) in high education level parents group and reduces 0.98 times (0.97-0.99) in high communication level group. Conclusions It was concluded that stigmatization against disabled people is very important issue for investigation and intervention in males, parents with low education groups and low communication level groups. Key messages Communication with disabled people is a very important factor that could be modified and improved for reducing the stigmatization about disabled people. Intervention studies are needed for reducing stigmatization against disabled people in students educated in health-related faculties to eliminate inequalities in health.
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