ĐẶC ĐIỂM KỲ THỊ VÀ PHÂN BIỆT ĐỐI XỬ Ở NGƯỜI BỆNH HIV/AIDS TẠI BỆNH VIỆN BẠCH MAI

Abstract

Introduction: Stigma and discrimination related to HIV/AIDS is not only a personal issue but also a broader social problem, profoundly affecting the way communities support and interact with people living with HIV/AIDS. This study was conducted to describe the level of stigma among HIV/AIDS patients at the Center for Tropical Diseases, Bach Mai Hospital. Participants and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study with a convenient sample size of 286 HIV patients on ARV treatment at the Center for Tropical Diseases, Bach Mai Hospital. Information collected included demographic, clinical and treatment characteristics, as well as using the abbreviated Berger scale to measure stigma and discrimination.  Results: The average age of patients was 39.7, with 58% male. Most patients were married (61.5%) and had high school education or above (60%). The average monthly income was 6.5 million VND. The average CD4 count was 559.7 cells/mm3 and the average viral load was 15.0 copies/mL. The average duration of ARV treatment was 5.3 years. There were 15.4% patients with hepatitis B and 22.7% with hepatitis C. The average stigma score was 27.8 ± 8.3. The highest stigma issues were related to concerns about disclosing HIV status and community attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS. Lower education and unemployment were two factors statistically associated with higher levels of stigma. Conclusion: Our study showed that stigma and discrimination remains a major barrier for HIV/AIDS patients, with a high level of stigma, that highlight the urgent need to reduce stigma and discrimination in society, thereby creating more favorable conditions for caring and supporting patients.