AEGiS-15IAC: HIV related stigma and its impact on people living with HIV/AIDS and their families in China.

15th International AIDS Conference

Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

HIV related stigma and its impact on people living with HIV/AIDS and their families in China.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. D10386)

Li L, Wu ZY, Cui HX, Wu S, Jia MH, Detels R, Rotheram MJ
UCLA, Los Angeles, United States

ISSUES: China has a rapidly emerging HIV epidemic and it is essential to implement effective intervention strategies now. HIV-related stigma and discrimination impede every step in mounting an effective response for prevention, treatment, and care in China.

DESCRIPTION: Using both qualitative and quantitative methods, this study aims at understanding and documenting HIV-related stigma and discrimination experienced by people living with HIV/AIDS (PLH) and the impact of such discrimination on health care and services for PLH in China. In-depth interviews are conducted with PLH and their families, service providers including doctors, nurses, and hospital lab technicians, and health administrators from provincial, city, county and village health facilities.

LESSONS LEARNED: Findings from the study are useful in developing an effective intervention to combat HIV related stigma and discrimination in health care settings and to improve the quality of life for PLH and their families.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV, HIV Seropositivity, HIV Infections, Family, Disease Outbreaks, HIV-1, China, Interviews

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D10386