Qualitative Research On The AIDS/HIV-Related Stigma And Stigma Coping Of PLWA/PLWH In Shanghai

Stigma is an undesirable or discrediting attribute that an individual possesses, thus reducing that individual's status in the eyes of society. AIDS/HIV-related stigma refers to the prejudice, ignorance, insult and discrimination towards to the People live with HIV/AIDS and people related. HIV/AIDS stigma is a frequently cited barrier to HIV prevention.This study is an indigenous research on HIV/AIDS-stigma, which tries to find the specific meaning of HIV/AIDS-stigma in Shanghai. In the meanwhile, this study made up the blank of the patients'reaction to the stigma and analyzed the patient's stigma coping.This study selected 12 people live with HIV/AIDS in Shanghai as subjects and conducted semi-structured interview and selected 48 people live with HIV/AIDS,15 family and friends,5 doctors and nurses and two students to conducted informality interview to collect intensive information of the influence of HIV/AIDS-related stigma to PLWA/PLWH in Shanghai, and how PLWA/PLWH preserve and cope with the stigma. Data analysis indicated that depression, anxiety and anger are main feeling of PLWA/PLWH and the way of attribution and self-image affect the way of stigma coping. Building up the sense of self-value, enhancing the skill of sociality, shaping the public image and sticking up for own rights actively can attribute to anti-HIV/AIDS-related stigma.This study found that HIV/AIDS stigma is built up by both PLWA/PLWH and the uninfected people. PLWA/PLWH with good self-image and effective way of coping can control the influence of stigma, and then effect the uninfected people's attitude. Psychologists and socialists should pay attention to patient who lack of coping resources, and make intervention on emotional adjustment, way of attribution and social skill training, enhance their value and ability to interact with the surrounding, to anti stigma both mentally and practically.