Abstract
IntroductionDespite having one of lowest rates of newly diagnosed HIV infections among former Soviet countries, Tajikistan has a substantial level of discriminatory attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). While initial attempts were made to explore discriminatory attitudes of a wide range of professionals, women’s general attitudes towards PLWHA received less scholarly attention. Employing a nationally representative sample from the 2000 and 2005 Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), sociodemographic determinants of HIV-related discriminatory attitudes of women aged 15–49 in Tajikistan were identified and examined over time.MethodsA representative sample included 5,453 women of reproductive age from the capital city and four regions of Tajikistan. Two dichotomized scenarios representing the agreement to let an HIV-infected teacher continue teaching in school and the willingness to buy food from an HIV-infected cashier were constructed. Univariate and multivariable analyses of HIV-related discriminatory attitudes were obtained using Stata 14.ResultsInsignificant but positive changes were observed in the women’s attitudes between 2000 and 2005. Logistic regression models showed that negative attitudes were associated with the lack of knowledge of HIV/AIDS prevention methods, endorsement of HIV/AIDS transmission misconceptions, and never having been tested for HIV (p≤0.001). Women living in the rural areas, married, with lower education, and from low income households were less tolerant towards PLWHA.ConclusionsThe data from Tajikistan underscore the persistence of HIV-related discriminatory attitudes among low socioeconomic status women. The study findings can be potentially used to target the disadvantaged groups and guide the design and implementation of programs that promote voluntary HIV-testing, raise awareness about HIV/AIDS prevention methods, and help dispel transmission misconceptions.
Highlights
Despite having one of lowest rates of newly diagnosed HIV infections among former Soviet countries, Tajikistan has a substantial level of discriminatory attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA)
According to the first national study on discrimination and stigmatization of HIV-infected people conducted by the Strategic Research Center under the President of Tajikistan, nearly every third person (28.9%) held negative attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).[2]
Most of the previously published studies on HIV/AIDS in Tajikistan focused on high risk of HIV infection among injection drug users and labor migrants[3] or assessed comprehensive HIV/AIDS knowledge among women.[3,4]
Summary
Despite having one of lowest rates of newly diagnosed HIV infections among former Soviet countries, Tajikistan has a substantial level of discriminatory attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). CENTRAL ASIAN JOURNAL OF GLOBAL HEALTH in the context of medical care, and within families and communities.[2] initial attempts were made to explore discriminatory attitudes of a wide range of professionals, including medical personnel, lawenforcement men, service sector workers, teachers, local officials, mass media employees, lawyers, judges, and religious leaders,[2] studies that examine women’s attitudes towards PLWHA in Tajikistan are nearly absent. Most of the previously published studies on HIV/AIDS in Tajikistan focused on high risk of HIV infection among injection drug users and labor migrants[3] or assessed comprehensive HIV/AIDS knowledge among women.[3,4] a limited number of qualitative research looked at the discrimination against HIV-positive injection drug users by health care providers[5], as well as labor migrants’ wives’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors about HIV/AIDS risk and protection.[6] The aim of this study was to identify sociodemographic determinants of HIV-related discriminatory attitudes of a nationally representative sample of women aged 15-49 in Tajikistan and examine these changes over time
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