Journal Article

Gender and Ethnicity Differences in HIV-related Stigma Experienced by People Living with HIV in Ontario, Canada

Logie, Carmen H., Rueda, Sergio, Rourke, Sean B., Margolese, Shari L., Blitz, Sandra L., Tharao, Wangari E., Zhang, Yimeng, Raboud, Janet M., Loutfy, Mona R.

2012

Overview

This study aimed to understand gender and ethnicity differences in HIV-related stigma experienced by 1026 HIV-positive individuals living in Ontario, Canada that were enrolled in the OHTN Cohort Study. Total and subscale HIV-related stigma scores were measured using the revised HIV-related Stigma Scale. Correlates of total stigma scores were assessed in univariate and multivariate linear regression. Women had significantly higher total and subscale stigma scores than men (total, median = 56.0 vs. 48.0, p<0.0001). Among men and women, Black individuals had the highest, Aboriginal and Asian/Latin-American/Unspecified people intermediate, and White individuals the lowest total stigma scores. The gender-ethnicity interaction term was significant in multivariate analysis: Black women and Asian/Latin-American/Unspecified men reported the highest HIV-related stigma scores. Gender and ethnicity differences in HIV-related stigma were identified in our cohort. Findings suggest differing approaches may be required to address HIV-related stigma based on gender and ethnicity; and such strategies should challenge racist and sexist stereotypes.

• Publisher: Public Library of Science,Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subject: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome / Adult / AIDS / Analysis / Biology / Black people / Black women / Cohort analysis / Cohort Studies / Cross-Sectional Studies / Ethnicity / Female / Gender / Gender differences / Gender Identity / Health care networks / HIV / HIV - physiology / HIV carriers discrimination / HIV Infections - ethnology / HIV patients / Hospitals / Human immunodeficiency virus / Human rights / Humans / Indigenous peoples / Male / Marginalized groups / Measures / Medical diagnosis / Medicine / Men / Mens health / Middle Aged / Minority & ethnic groups / Multivariate analysis / Native North Americans / Ontario / Prospective Studies / Qualitative research / Questionnaires / Race / Racism / Regression analysis / Risk Factors / Sexism / Sexual orientation / Sexually transmitted diseases / Social and Behavioral Sciences / Social exclusion / Social Stigma / Socioeconomic Factors / STD / Stereotypes / Stigma / Studies / Systematic review / Women / Womens health