Work

Addressing HIV stigma in protected medical settings

Year: 2015

Type: article

Abstract: Previous studies suggest that the implementation of universal precaution (UP) plays a role in reducing HIV stigma. In this study we investigate the efficacy of a stigma reduction intervention on UP compliance and explore whether UP compliance could potentially influence HIV stigma reduction in medical settings. A randomized controlled intervention trial was conducted in two provinces of China with 1760 healthcare service providers recruited from 40 county-level hospitals. Longitudinal analyses included data collection at baseline, 6-, and 12-month follow-up assessments. Using a hierarchical modeling approach, we estimated the intervention effect for each provider's UP compliance and its potential mediating role on HIV stigma with the bootstrapping method. A significant intervention effect on UP compliance was observed at both the 6- and 12-month follow-up assessments. The intervention effect on provider avoidance intent was partially mediated by the provider's own UP compliance at the two follow-up points. This study provides evidence that UP compliance should be part of HIV stigma reduction programs, especially in resource-restrained countries. Findings suggest that a protected work environment may be necessary but not sufficient to address HIV stigma in medical settings.

Source: AIDS Care

DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2015.1114990

Authors: Li Li, Li-Jung Liang, Chunqing Lin, Zunyou Wu

Institutions: University of California, Los Angeles, Chinese Center For Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention,China CDC

Language: English

Topic: HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions

Subfield: Infectious Diseases

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Mental Health