Stigma Reported by People Living With HIV in South Central China

This cross-sectional study described the level of stigma reported by people living with HIV (PLWH) in south central China and identified factors associated with the individuals’ perceptions of stigma. The authors carried out face-to-face interviews among 322 PLWH. Over half (51%) reported experiencing stigma, 78% reported feelings of negative self-worth, 75% reported interpersonal insecurity, 84% experienced financial problems, and 58% worried about disclosure of their disease. High levels of self-perceived stigma were associated with subjects who were injection drug users (p = .001), who were less satisfied with responses from family members (p = .001), who had disclosed their HIV status widely (p = .001), and who reported poorer health status (p = .001). Nurses working with PLWH should carry out psychological assessments and care without judgmental attitudes and help PLWH disclose their HIV status to family members, which could reduce HIV-related stigma in the context of Chinese culture.

Key words: AIDS, antiretroviral treatment, China, discrimination, HIV, poverty, stigma