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Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia
ISSN: 1394-195X
Vol. 22, No. 5, 2015, pp. 64-69
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Bioline Code: mj15058
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
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Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences, Vol. 22, No. 5, 2015, pp. 64-69
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HIV-Related Stigma and Discriminatory Attitudes among a Semi-Urban Population
Lugova, Halyna; Mon, Aye Aye; Daher, Aqil Mohammad & Suleiman, Adlina
Abstract
Background:
Stigma and discriminatory attitudes (SDAs) have a negative impact on human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention, testing, and treatment as well as on family and social
networks. There is a lack of understanding about HIV-related SDAs among people living outside
large cities.
Objective:
This study is aimed to determine the level of HIV-related SDAs among a semiurban
population in Malaysia and to compare the SDA results among people with different
sociodemographic characteristics.
Methods:
A sample of 106 respondents was generated by convenience sampling during the
screening campaign in Alor Gajah, Malaysia. Data collection was carried out based on a pre-tested
questionnaire via face-to-face interviews.
Results:
More than half of the respondents (62.3%) thought that an HIV-positive teacher
should not be allowed to continue teaching at school; 81.1% were unsure or were unwilling to care for
their family member with AIDS at home; 81.2% thought children with HIV/AIDS should not continue
to be raised in families; and 77.3% thought they would not reveal if a family member had HIV/AIDS.
Conclusion:
Priority should be given to evidence-based interventions to reduce HIV-related
SDAs. This study did not reveal any significant relationship between sociodemographic profiles and
HIV-related SDAs. Therefore, further research with a larger sample size is needed to investigate the
underlying causes of HIV-related SDAs.
Keywords
attitude; discrimination; HIV/AIDS; stigma; Malaysia
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