| HIV/AIDS related stigma and discrimination are regarded as the greatest barriers to the prevention of new infections, and adequate treatment and care for people living with HIV/AIDS. A situational analysis of HIV/AIDS related stigma and discrimination were carried out for the first time in China from 2002 April to 2003 February.Data was collected using two data collection methods: review and analysis of legislative and institutional policy documents, and in-depth interviews. A multi-disciplinary team interviewed 28 people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and 72 other key informants (HIV seronegative). The study used the 2000 UNAIDS Protocol for the Identification of Discrimination Against People Living with HIV, which covered 37 situations in 10 key domains of social life, including health care, employment, justice/legal process, administration, social welfare, housing, education, reproductive and family life, insurance and other public accommodation and services. The protocol adopted a qualitative approach to investigating legislation, policy, and practice. A team of investigators with experience in health care, law, and social policy examined the occurrence of discrimination in each of the 10 domains. The results revealed that most incidents of discrimination occurred in everyday life situations rather than at structural levels of legislation and written regulations, although the law prescribed anti-discrimination. Health care was the domain in which most HTV/AIDS related discrimination occurred because PLWHA had more opportunity to expose their serostatus in this area.A separate sampling of PLWHA, 215 total, completed anonymous questionnaires about their demographics, personal health, ARV treatment, perceived stigma, knowledge about HIV/AIDS, quality of life, and partner/family/friends disclosure information. 62.8% of respondents experienced discrimination. The study revealed that those living in large cities that underwent mandatory HIV testing and experienced discrimination were most...
|
PDF Full Text Request