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Jiménez-Rivagorza L, Orozco R, Medina-Mora ME, Rafful C. HIV-Related Stigma and Treatment Adherence Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men Who Use Crystal Meth in the Metropolitan Area of Mexico City. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2024; 53:1561-1574. [PMID: 38409457 PMCID: PMC10954905 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-024-02816-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Internationally, HIV-related stigma and crystal methamphetamine (meth) use have been described as barriers to treatment adherence among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM). Crystal meth use has been increasing among gbMSM in the Metropolitan Area of Mexico City (MAMC). Therefore, this study aimed to determine the association between HIV-related stigma and HIV treatment adherence among gbMSM who use crystal meth in the MAMC. This study was undertaken as part of an exploratory study of crystal meth use in the MAMC. The data were collected from September to December 2021 through an encrypted online survey. Participants (n = 89) were gbMSM adults living with HIV who reported crystal meth use in the past month that were recruited through an online snowball sampling. The online survey included questions about HIV treatment adherence, sexual behaviors, the Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involved Screening Test, and the HIV-Related Stigma Mechanisms Scale. Logistic regression analyses assessed the association between HIV-related stigma and HIV treatment adherence. The multivariate logistic regression model showed that, controlling for health insurance [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.13; 95% confidence intervals (CI) = 0.02-0.59] and educational level (AOR = 0.16; 95% CI = 0.02-0.88), non-adherence to HIV treatment was independently associated with higher HIV-related stigma (AOR = 1.06; 95% CI = 1.01-1.12). Public health policies must include HIV-related stigma and substance use in treating gbMSM with HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Jiménez-Rivagorza
- Faculty of Psychology, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Ciudad Universitaria, 04510, Coyoacan, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Ricardo Orozco
- Center for Global Mental Health, National Institute of Psychiatry, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - María Elena Medina-Mora
- Faculty of Psychology, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Ciudad Universitaria, 04510, Coyoacan, Mexico City, Mexico
- Center for Global Mental Health, National Institute of Psychiatry, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Claudia Rafful
- Faculty of Psychology, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Ciudad Universitaria, 04510, Coyoacan, Mexico City, Mexico.
- Center for Global Mental Health, National Institute of Psychiatry, Mexico City, Mexico.
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Scaramutti C, Hervera B, Rivera Y, Chueng TA, Forrest DW, Suarez E, Serota DP, Alkamli H, Ciraldo K, Bartholomew TS, Tookes HE. Improving access to HIV care among people who inject drugs through tele-harm reduction: a qualitative analysis of perceived discrimination and stigma. Harm Reduct J 2024; 21:50. [PMID: 38396017 PMCID: PMC10893685 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-024-00961-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tele-harm reduction (THR) is a telehealth-enhanced, peer-led, harm reduction intervention delivered within a trusted syringe services program (SSP) venue. The primary goal of THR is to facilitate linkage to care and rapid, enduring virologic suppression among people who inject drugs (PWID) with HIV. An SSP in Miami, Florida, developed THR to circumvent pervasive stigma within the traditional healthcare system. METHODS During intervention development, we conducted in-depth interviews with PWID with HIV (n = 25) to identify barriers and facilitators to care via THR. We employed a general inductive approach to transcripts guided by iterative readings of the raw data to derive the concepts, themes, and interpretations of the THR intervention. RESULTS Of the 25 PWID interviewed, 15 were in HIV care and adherent to medication; 4 were in HIV care but non-adherent; and 6 were not in care. Themes that emerged from the qualitative analysis included the trust and confidence PWID have with SSP clinicians as opposed to professionals within the traditional healthcare system. Several barriers to treatment were reported among PWID, including perceived and actual discrimination by friends and family, negative internalized behaviors, denial of HIV status, and fear of engaging in care. Facilitators to HIV care included empathy and respect by SSP staff, flexibility of telehealth location, and an overall destigmatizing approach. CONCLUSION PWID identified barriers and facilitators to receipt of HIV care through the THR intervention. Interviews helped inform THR intervention development, centered on PWID in the destigmatizing environment of an SSP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Scaramutti
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
| | - Belén Hervera
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Yanexy Rivera
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Teresa A Chueng
- 2Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - David W Forrest
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Edward Suarez
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - David P Serota
- 2Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Hatoun Alkamli
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Katrina Ciraldo
- Department of Family and Community Medicine & Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Tyler S Bartholomew
- Division of Health Services Research and Policy, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Hansel E Tookes
- 2Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
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Rutstein SE, Sibley AL, Huffstetler HE, Nguyen TTD, Tran HV, Le Minh G, Sripaipan T, Nguyen M, Miller WC, Eron JJ, Gay CL, Go VF. Acceptability and feasibility of long-acting injectable antiretroviral therapy for HIV-infected persons who inject drugs in Vietnam: A qualitative study. THE LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. WESTERN PACIFIC 2023; 31:100603. [PMID: 36879789 PMCID: PMC9985034 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2022.100603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Vietnam, HIV prevalence among people who inject drugs (PWID) is several times higher than in the general population (15% versus 0.3%). PWID also experience higher rates of HIV-related mortality, driven by poor antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence. Long-acting injectable ART (LAI) is a compelling opportunity to improve treatment outcomes, but acceptability and feasibility among HIV-infected PWID remains unexplored. METHODS We conducted key informant in-depth interviews in Hanoi, Vietnam (February-November 2021). Participants were purposively sampled and included policymakers, ART clinic staff, and HIV-infected PWID. We applied the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to guide study design and analysis, using thematic coding to develop and iteratively refine a codebook and characterize barriers and facilitators to LAI implementation. FINDINGS We interviewed 38 key stakeholders: 19 PWID, 14 ART clinic staff, and five policymakers. Participants were enthusiastic about LAI convenience, highlighting less frequent and more discreet dosing. However, contrasting providers, several policymakers suggested LAI was not needed given perceived exceptional oral ART outcomes and rare viral failure among PWID. Policymakers also criticized strategies prioritizing PWID for LAI, emphasizing equity, whereas providers identified PWID as an ideal population for LAI given adherence challenges. LAI complexity, including storage and administration logistics, were deemed surmountable with training and resources. Finally, providers and policymakers acknowledged that adding LAI to drug formularies was key, but an onerous process. INTERPRETATION Although anticipated to be resource-intensive, LAI was a welcome addition for interviewed stakeholders and likely an acceptable alternative to oral ART among PWID living with HIV in Vietnam. Despite enthusiasm among PWID and providers that LAI could improve viral outcomes, some policymakers-whose buy-in is critical to LAI implementation-opposed strategies that preferentially distributed LAI to PWID, highlighting values of equity and revealing differences in perceived HIV outcomes among PWID. Results provide a vital foundation for developing LAI implementation strategies. FUNDING Supported by National Institutes of Health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E. Rutstein
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 130 Mason Farm Rd, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Adams L. Sibley
- Department of Health Behavior, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 135 Dauer Dr, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Hanna E. Huffstetler
- Department of Health Behavior, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 135 Dauer Dr, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | | | | | | | - Teerada Sripaipan
- Department of Health Behavior, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 135 Dauer Dr, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Minh Nguyen
- Department of Health Behavior, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 135 Dauer Dr, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - William C. Miller
- Department of Epidemiology, The Ohio State University, 1841 Neil Ave, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
| | - Joseph J. Eron
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 130 Mason Farm Rd, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Cynthia L. Gay
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 130 Mason Farm Rd, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Vivian F. Go
- Department of Health Behavior, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 135 Dauer Dr, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
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Hook K, Sereda Y, Rossi S, Koberna S, Vetrova MV, Lodi S, Lunze K. HIV, substance use, and intersectional stigma: Associations with mental health among persons living with HIV who inject drugs in Russia. AIDS Behav 2023; 27:431-442. [PMID: 35913589 PMCID: PMC9889571 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-022-03778-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
HIV stigma is associated with negative physical and mental health outcomes. Intersectional stigma among persons living with HIV (PLHIV) results from interrelated, synergistic impacts of experiencing multiple stigma forms. Its relation with mental health outcomes is still an emerging area of study in this key population. This study aimed to evaluate associations of intersectional stigma, defined as endorsing high levels of HIV and substance use stigmas, with depressive and anxiety symptoms in a cohort of 111 PLHIV who inject drugs in St. Petersburg, Russia. Over a third of participants (37%) reported experiencing intersectional stigma (i.e., both stigma scores above the median). In adjusted analysis, lower Patient Health Questionnaire depression scale (PHQ-9) scores (beta (β=-4.31, 95% CI: -7.11 - -1.51, p = 0.003) and Generalized Anxiety Disorders Scale (GAD-7) scores (β=-3.64, 95% CI: -5.57 - -1.71, p < 0.001) were associated with having low scores for both HIV and substance use stigmas. Lower PHQ-9 scores (β=-3.46, 95% CI: -5.72 - -1.19, p = 0.003) and GAD-7 scores (β=-3.06, 95% CI: -4.62 - -1.50, p < 0.001) were also associated with high stigma on either HIV or substance use stigma scales. Controlling for demographics, depressive symptoms approximately linearly increased from both forms of stigma low to experiencing either form of stigma high to experiencing intersectional stigma, while levels of anxiety symptoms were comparable among participants with both types of stigma low and one stigma high. Participants who experienced intersectional stigma reported the greatest severity of both depressive and anxiety symptoms, as compared to individuals who endorsed low stigma scores (i.e., low stigma on both HIV and substance use stigma scales) or high scores of only one form of stigma. This suggests that intersectional stigma in this population of PLHIV who inject drugs in Russia is linked with worsened mental health outcomes, exceeding the effects of experiencing one form of stigma alone. Interventions to help people cope with intersectional stigma need to consider affective symptoms and tailor coping strategies to address impacts of multiple forms of mental health distress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly Hook
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Yuliia Sereda
- Ukrainian Institute on Public Health Policy, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Sarah Rossi
- Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sarah Koberna
- Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marina V Vetrova
- First Pavlov State Medical, University of Saint Petersburg, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Sara Lodi
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Karsten Lunze
- Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
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Tran HV, Filipowicz TR, Landrum KR, Nong HTT, Tran TTT, Pence BW, Go VF, Le GM, Nguyen MX, Verhey R, Chibanda D, Ho HT, Gaynes BN. Stigma experienced by people living with HIV who are on methadone maintenance treatment and have symptoms of common mental disorders in Hanoi, Vietnam: a qualitative study. AIDS Res Ther 2022; 19:63. [PMID: 36517849 PMCID: PMC9753276 DOI: 10.1186/s12981-022-00491-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stigma around human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), injection drug use (IDU), and mental health disorders can be co-occurring and have different impacts on the well-being of people living with HIV (PWH) who use drugs and have mental health disorders. This stigma can come from society, health professionals, and internalized stigma. A person who has more than one health condition can experience overlapping health-related stigma and levels of stigma which can prevent them from receiving necessary support and healthcare, serving to intensify their experience with stigma. This study investigates HIV, drug use, and mental health stigmas in three dimensions (social, internalized, and professional) around PWH on methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) who have common mental disorders (CMDs) including depression, anxiety, and stress-related disorders in Hanoi, Vietnam.Please check and confirm whether corresponding author's email id is correctly identified.The cooresponding author's email is correct METHODS: We conducted semi-structured, in-depth interviews (IDIs) (n = 21) and two focus group discussions (FGDs) (n = 10) with PWH receiving MMT who have CMD symptoms, their family members, clinic health care providers, and clinic directors. We applied thematic analysis using NVIVO software version 12.0, with themes based on IDI and FGD guides and emergent themes from interview transcripts. RESULTS The study found evidence of different stigmas towards HIV, IDU, and CMDs from the community, family, health care providers, and participants themselves. Community and family members were physically and emotionally distant from patients due to societal stigma around illicit drug use and fears of acquiring HIV. Participants often conflated stigmas around drug use and HIV, referring to these stigmas interchangeably. The internalized stigma around having HIV and injecting drugs made PWH on MMT hesitant to seek support for CMDs. These stigmas compounded to negatively impact participants' health. CONCLUSIONS Strategies to reduce stigma affecting PWH on MMT should concurrently address stigmas around HIV, drug addiction, and mental health. Future studies could explore approaches to address internalized stigma to improve self-esteem, mental health, and capacities to cope with stigma for PWH on MMT. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT04790201, available at clinicaltrials.gov.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ha V. Tran
- The University of North Carolina-Vietnam Office, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Teresa R. Filipowicz
- grid.410711.20000 0001 1034 1720Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Kelsey R. Landrum
- grid.448980.90000 0004 0444 7651Faculty of Environmental and Occupational Health, Hanoi University of Public Health, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Ha T. T. Nong
- The University of North Carolina-Vietnam Office, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Thuy T. T. Tran
- grid.448980.90000 0004 0444 7651Faculty of Environmental and Occupational Health, Hanoi University of Public Health, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Brian W. Pence
- grid.448980.90000 0004 0444 7651Faculty of Environmental and Occupational Health, Hanoi University of Public Health, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Vivian F. Go
- grid.410711.20000 0001 1034 1720Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Giang M. Le
- grid.56046.310000 0004 0642 8489Center for Research and Training in HIV/AIDS, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Minh X. Nguyen
- grid.56046.310000 0004 0642 8489Epidemiology Department, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Ruth Verhey
- grid.56046.310000 0004 0642 8489Epidemiology Department, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Dixon Chibanda
- grid.13001.330000 0004 0572 0760Department of Psychiatry & Research Support Centre, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe ,grid.8991.90000 0004 0425 469XLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Hien T. Ho
- grid.448980.90000 0004 0444 7651Faculty of Clinical Medicine, Hanoi University of Public Health, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Bradley N. Gaynes
- grid.448980.90000 0004 0444 7651Faculty of Environmental and Occupational Health, Hanoi University of Public Health, Hanoi, Vietnam ,grid.410711.20000 0001 1034 1720Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA
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Giang HT, Duc NQ, Khue PM, Quillet C, Oanh KTH, Thanh NTT, Vallo R, Feelemyer J, Vinh VH, Rapoud D, Michel L, Laureillard D, Moles JP, Jarlais DD, Nagot N, Huong DT. Gender Differences in HIV, HCV risk and Prevention Needs Among People who Inject drug in Vietnam. AIDS Behav 2022; 27:1989-1997. [PMID: 36441408 PMCID: PMC10149475 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-022-03932-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We examined gender differences among people who inject drug (PWID) in Hai Phong, Vietnam in term of blood-borne infections, risk behaviors, and access to care. Using respondent-driven-sampling surveys, we recruited 3146 PWID from 2016 to 2018. Inclusion criteria included a positive urine test for heroin and recent injection marks. There were 155 female PWID (4,9%), including 82 at RDS-2016, 32 at RDS-2017 and 38 at RDS-2018. The age mean was 36.3 ± 7.2 years. The majority of female PWID had less than high school education (90.9%) and were unemployed (51.3%). There was no difference in the proportion of HIV and HCV positive by gender. However, women had several significant differences in risk behaviors than men in multivariable logistic regression. Being a woman was independently associated with being unemployed, being a sex worker, having unstable housing, having uses drugs for less than 5 years, more use of methamphetamine, having a partner who ever injected drugs, and less access to methadone treatment. Interventions targeting female PWID are needed, possibly through community organizations and peer educators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoang Thi Giang
- Faculty of Public Health, Haiphong University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 72A, Nguyen Binh Khiem, Ngo Quyen district, Haiphong city, Vietnam.
| | - Nguyen Quang Duc
- Faculty of Public Health, Haiphong University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 72A, Nguyen Binh Khiem, Ngo Quyen district, Haiphong city, Vietnam
| | - Pham Minh Khue
- Faculty of Public Health, Haiphong University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 72A, Nguyen Binh Khiem, Ngo Quyen district, Haiphong city, Vietnam
| | - Catherine Quillet
- Pathogenesis and control of chronic & emerging infections, Etablissement Français du Sang, University of Montpellier, INSERM, University of Antilles, Montpellier, France
| | | | | | - Roselyne Vallo
- Pathogenesis and control of chronic & emerging infections, Etablissement Français du Sang, University of Montpellier, INSERM, University of Antilles, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Vu Hai Vinh
- Dept of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Viet Tiep Hospital, Hai Phong, Vietnam
| | - Delphine Rapoud
- Pathogenesis and control of chronic & emerging infections, Etablissement Français du Sang, University of Montpellier, INSERM, University of Antilles, Montpellier, France
| | - Laurent Michel
- Pierre Nicole Center, CESP/Inserm 1018, French Red Cross, Paris, France
| | - Didier Laureillard
- Pathogenesis and control of chronic & emerging infections, Etablissement Français du Sang, University of Montpellier, INSERM, University of Antilles, Montpellier, France
- Infectious Diseases Department, Caremeau University Hospital, Nîmes, France
| | - Jean Pierre Moles
- Pathogenesis and control of chronic & emerging infections, Etablissement Français du Sang, University of Montpellier, INSERM, University of Antilles, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Nicolas Nagot
- Pathogenesis and control of chronic & emerging infections, Etablissement Français du Sang, University of Montpellier, INSERM, University of Antilles, Montpellier, France
| | - Duong Thi Huong
- Faculty of Public Health, Haiphong University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 72A, Nguyen Binh Khiem, Ngo Quyen district, Haiphong city, Vietnam
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Stigmatizing Attitudes toward People Living with HIV among Young Women Migrant Workers in Vietnam. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19116366. [PMID: 35681951 PMCID: PMC9180544 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19116366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Despite intensive HIV education and prevention efforts in the past few years, stigmatizing attitudes toward people living with HIV (PLWH) remain a major barrier to HIV prevention and treatment efforts in Vietnam. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of stigmatizing attitudes regarding HIV and identify correlative factors that impact the perceptions of PLWH among a heretofore overlooked demographic in Vietnamese society: women who are migrant workers in designated industrial zones (IZs). A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1061 women migrant workers aged 18 to 29 from January 2020 to November 2020 in Hanoi, Vietnam. Stigmatizing attitudes toward PLWH were measured using a four-item scale. Multiple logistic regression was conducted to examine the factors associated with stigmatizing attitudes. Our findings indicate both substantial levels of stigma persisting among this demographic group as well as the influence of important mitigating factors on the expression of HIV-related stigma. Over seventy-six percent (76.2%) of the participants reported having at least one of the four stigmatizing attitudes. Greater levels of stigmatizing attitudes toward PLWH were significantly associated with lower HIV knowledge, lower levels of education, and identifying as Kinh (the ethnic majority in Vietnam). Additionally, this study found that questions framing HIV infection through a familial lens were significantly associated with lower rates of stigmatizing responses. The high overall levels of stigmatizing attitudes toward PLWH among the study participants suggests that there is an urgent need for the development of culturally appropriate interventions and outreach education activities to reduce stigmatizing attitudes toward PLWH among women who are migrant workers working in the IZs in Vietnam. This study adds to both the existing literature and current efforts and policies around HIV in Vietnam by empirically suggesting that familial-based messaging may be a powerful potential narrative for interventions addressing HIV-related issues such as stigma.
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Tran NK, Vu BN, Susa J, DeSilva M. Stigma, coping strategies, and their impact on treatment and health outcomes among young men living with HIV in Vietnam: A qualitative study. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 2:e0000669. [PMID: 36962527 PMCID: PMC10021752 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stigma affects persons living with HIV in myriad ways, including mental health, adherence to antiretroviral therapy, and retention in care, and may manifest at inter- and intra-personal levels. Youth are particularly vulnerable; those in vulnerable groups may experience multiple stigmas. In Vietnam, new HIV infections are rising among men in young age groups. To better understand the facets of stigma experienced by young men living with HIV in Vietnam, we conducted a qualitative study with youth and clinicians. METHODS We conducted in-depth interviews with ten youth and two clinicians in Hanoi, querying experiences of inter- and intra-personal stigma, coping strategies, and disclosure. As a framework for further research, we developed a conceptual model based on our findings and the published evidence base which portrays interactions among HIV-related stigma, coping strategies, and ART adherence, care engagement, and health outcomes. RESULTS Common themes that emerged from interviews with youth included extensive internalized/self-stigma and perceived stigma, yet limited experienced interpersonal stigma due to non-disclosure and avoidant coping strategies. Within different types of relationships or contexts, youth used different strategies. Non-disclosure with family, friends, and workplaces/school, and avoidance of romantic relationships and health care were common. Mental health and social support appeared to be mediating factors between coping strategies and health outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Validation of this model of mechanisms of the impact of stigma for youth will require further research with larger samples. In the meantime, public campaigns to increase public awareness related to HIV should be implemented in Vietnam. Critical support for youth and their mental health should involve approaches tailored to the individual, taking into account context and personal capacity, including adequate time to prepare psychologically for disclosure. Some strategies for safe and effective disclosure are suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nhu Kieu Tran
- Institute for Social Development Studies, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Bach Ngoc Vu
- Institute for Social Development Studies, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Jordan Susa
- Center for Excellence in Public Health, University of New England, Portland, Maine, United States of America
| | - Mary DeSilva
- Center for Excellence in Public Health, University of New England, Portland, Maine, United States of America
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