Stigmatizing and discriminatory attitudes toward people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) among general adult population: the results from the 6th Thai National Health Examination Survey (NHES VI)

Hearing health survey of the population in Bangkok

In this cross-sectional random survey among Thai adults living in Bangkok, we aimed to identify the prevalence of hearing problems and examine their relationship with individual factors. We administered a self-report questionnaire and performed pure-tone air conduction threshold audiometry. A total of 2463 participants (1728 female individuals) aged 15-96 years were included. The hearing loss prevalence was 53.02% and increased with age. The prevalence of a moderate or greater degree of hearing impairment was 2.8%. Participants aged 65 years and over had 8.56 and 6.79 times greater hearing loss and hearing impairment than younger participants, respectively. Male participants were twice as likely to have hearing loss and hearing impairment as female individuals. Participants with higher education levels showed less likelihood of having hearing loss and hearing impairment than those with no or a primary school education. Participants who ever worked under conditions with loud noise for > 8 h per day had 1.56 times greater hearing loss than those without such exposure. An inconsistent correlation was found between hearing loss, hearing impairment and noncommunicable diseases (diabetes, hypertension, and obesity). Although most participants had mild hearing loss, appropriate care and monitoring are necessary to prevent further loss in such individuals. The questionnaire-based survey found only people with hearing problems that affect daily communication.

Discrimination against HIV/AIDS patients and associated factors among women in East African countries: using the most recent DHS data (2015-2022)

INTRODUCTION

The biggest health problem in East Africa is the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Combating stigma and discrimination related to HIV/AIDS is a key goal of many international organizations in their efforts to ensure universal access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care, and support programs. However, previous studies in various regions of Africa have shown that the prevalence of discriminatory attitudes related to HIV/AIDS is particularly high. Furthermore, there is a current evidence gap in the region. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of discriminatory attitude toward HIV/AIDS patients, and its associated factors among women in East African countries.

METHODS

The data we utilized were gathered from the most recent Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), which were carried out in east African nations between 2016 and 2022. We integrated DHS data from ten countries into our investigation. For our analysis, a weighted sample of 139,812 women overall was employed. The analysis used multiple logistic regressions. The adjusted odds ratio and its 95% confidence interval were then shown, and components with binary logistic regression p values of less than or equal to 0.2 and < 0.05 were regarded as significant predictors of discrimination against HIV/AIDS patients.

RESULTS

In this study, 32.73% (95% CI 34.48-32.97) of respondents had a discriminatory attitude toward HIV/AIDS patients. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, being in the older age groups, having a better education level, being from a wealthy household, having employment status, having ANC follow-up, institutional delivery, mass media exposure, and having female household heads were associated with higher odds of not having a discriminatory attitude toward HIV/AIDS patients. However, being unmarried and living far from the health facilities were associated with higher odds of discriminatory attitudes toward HIV/AIDS patients.

CONCLUSION

This study concluded that women in East Africa still had a very discriminatory attitude toward HIV/AIDS patients. The good news for East Africa is that prevalence has decreased when compared to earlier findings. Improving women's empowerment, maternal health services, and health facilities' accessibility are crucial.

Prevalence and sociodemographic determinants of public stigma towards people with HIV and its impact on HIV testing uptake: A cross-sectional study in 64 low- and middle-income countries

BACKGROUND

HIV stigma and discrimination are drivers of adverse HIV outcomes because they deter individuals from engaging in the HIV care continuum. We estimate the prevalence of public stigma towards people with HIV, investigate individuals' sociodemographic determinants for reporting stigmatizing attitudes, and test the impact of HIV stigma on HIV testing uptake.

METHODS

This was an observational study based on an analysis of cross-sectional surveys from 64 low- and middle-income countries. We used nationally representative survey data for the population aged 15-49 years from 2015 to 2021, which was the latest available data. HIV public stigma was measured using an index of two questions about attitudes towards people with HIV. First, prevalence estimates of HIV stigma were calculated by country, across countries, and by sociodemographic characteristics. Second, country fixed-effects multivariable logistic regression models were fit to assess sociodemographic determinants of holding stigmatizing attitudes towards people with HIV. Additional logistic regression models assessed country-level income and HIV prevalence as determinants of stigma and assessed the role of HIV public stigma as a driver of testing uptake.

RESULTS

A total of 1 172 841 participants were included in the study. HIV stigma was prevalent in all countries, ranging from 12.87% in Rwanda to 90.58% in Samoa. There was an inverse dose-response association between HIV stigma and educational level, wealth quintile, and age group, whereby higher levels of each were associated with lower odds of holding stigmatized attitudes towards people with HIV. The odds of stigmatized attitudes were lower among men and individuals with adequate knowledge of HIV. HIV stigma was lower in countries with greater gross domestic product per capita and HIV prevalence. Holding stigmatized attitudes towards people with HIV was associated with lower testing uptake, including having ever tested or having tested in the last year.

CONCLUSION

HIV stigma is present to a highly varying degree in all countries studied, so different approaches to reducing stigma towards people with HIV are required across settings. Action to eliminate HIV stigma is crucial if we are to progress towards ending HIV because holding stigmatized attitudes towards people with HIV was associated with reduced testing.