HIV Stigma among People Living with HIV in Southeast Iran

Background: This study aimed to measure internal and external HIV stigma and their associated factors among people living with HIV in the southeast of Iran.Methods: Using convenience sampling and a standard questionnaire, we recruited ۱۰۴ HIV-positive patients (۴۰% women) in ۲۰۱۸-۲۰۱۹ from two public clinics in Kerman, Iran. The internal stigma scale ranged from ۰-۲۲ and the external stigma scale ranged from ۰-۱۱ in which a higher score indicates higher stigma.Results: The mean internal stigma score was ۱۰.۷ (SD: ۵.۲), and that of the external stigma score was ۳.۱ (SD: ۲.۹). In multivariable regression analysis, women (Adjusted (Adj). ᵦ=-۳.۳; p=۰.۰۸), and married people (Adj. ᵦ=-۵.۵; p=<۰.۰۰۱) experienced less internal stigma. In contrast, those who were a member of support group of PLHIV (Adj. ᵦ=۲.۸; p=۰.۰۴), and those infected by sexual contact (Adj. ᵦ=۲.۱; P=۰.۰۰۶) experienced a higher internal stigma. Moreover, married people (Adj. ᵦ=-۱.۴; p=۰.۰۱), those with high school or higher education (Adj. ᵦ=-۱.۷; p=۰.۰۰۲), and those with other transmission routes (Adj. ᵦ=-۱.۴; P=۰.۰۱) experienced lower external stigma.Conclusions: People living with HIV feel considerable internal and external stigma. Addressing HIV stigma should be tailored based on gender, education, marriage, peer groups, and risk groups as these factors have different effects on stigma experiences.

کلیدواژه ها:

HIV Stigma ، HIV Infection ، People living with HIV/AIDS