Study On Current Situation Of Stigma And Discrimination And Medical Notification Against People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) In Hubei Province

ObjectiveUnderstand the current situation of stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Hubei province through the analysis of baseline survey. Based on the statistical results, find associated factors of not taking the initiative to inform to their doctor and provide scientific basis to eliminate AIDS-related stigma and discrimination issues of Hubei province.MethodsConvenience sampling was used to investigate PLWHA in Daye, Wuhan and Xiangyang according to the difference of AIDS epidemic mode and levels in Hubei Province. Descriptive analysis were used to investigate the social demographic data, Infection route, the type and extent of discrimination, Issues and challenges of PLWHA by SPSS 19.0 And relevant risk factors were analyzed by single factor and multi-factor logistic regression.Results399 valid questionnaires were collected in this survey. Self- blame accounted 52.1% among those who knew he was infected. Reducing the number of social events accounted 46.6% among those with no one knew that they were infected with HIV. 55.6% of respondents’families knew their HIV status.37.1% of respondents with no one except the family knew the infected fact.9.5% exposed participants could not bear neighbors’ strange look and then moved.10.3% of respondents said they had changed jobs because of AIDS.14.3% exposed participants’children showed that it made going to school difficult because they infected HIV.46.3% of respondents said they wouldn’t take the initiative to inform to their doctor.24.5% of respondents said medical staff once recommended themselves not to have children.52.6% of respondents thought that seeking medical advice in non-designated hospitals was the main issues related to discrimination.The results of single factor logistic regression indicated that age over 30 years old, Infection route was blood transfusion or blood selling and professional are farmers were three protective factors. While living in a small town or a large city, having a education of high school or secondary school or college graduates, no family members knew the infected fact and no one except the family knew the infected fact were four risk factors. The results of multi-factor logistic regression showed that no one except the family knew the infected fact (OR=2.112,95%CI=1.097-4.065) were risk factors of not taking the initiative to inform to their doctor.ConclusionPLWHA in Hubei province faced a serious stigma situation in family, social, medical and other fields, especially self-discrimination. Patients with no one except the family knew the infected fact were reluctant to take the initiative to inform when go to a doctor. Relevant system security, further improve the existing laws and regulations and increase publicity and educational intervention should be taken to reduce discrimination against PLWHA.