AUTHOR=Yin Yao , Chen Angela Chia-Chen , Wan Shaoping , Chen Hong 

TITLE=Factors Associated With HIV-Related Stigma Toward People Living With HIV Among Nurses in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, China: A Cross-Sectional Study

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychiatry

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.714597

DOI=10.3389/fpsyt.2021.714597

ISSN=1664-0640

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Background:</bold> The Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture has one of the most serious human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemics in China. Evidence shows HIV-related stigma toward people living with HIV (PLWH) among nurses impedes HIV prevention and treatment. However, only limited research about HIV-related stigma toward PLWH from the perspective of nurses in Liangshan has been conducted.</p><p><bold>Objective:</bold> This study aimed to assess HIV-related stigma toward PLWH among nurses and determine factors associated with it in Liangshan, China.</p><p><bold>Design:</bold> We conducted a cross-sectional survey using a stratified, random cluster sampling method.</p><p><bold>Participants:</bold> Registered nurses (<italic>N</italic> = 1,248; primary hospitals = 102, secondary hospitals = 592, tertiary hospitals = 554) who were aged 18 or older, worked in the selected hospitals for at least 6 months, and consented to participate were recruited.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> All participants completed an anonymous online survey measuring sociodemographic characteristics, HIV-related stigma and HIV knowledge. We used multiple stepwise regression analysis to examine factors associated with HIV-related stigma toward PLWH among these nurses.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> The mean score of HIV-related stigma among nurses was 50.7 (SD = 8.3; range 25–78). Nurses who were more experienced, had higher levels of education, and were working in tertiary hospitals reported higher level of HIV-related stigma. Those who had better HIV knowledge, reported a willingness to receive HIV-related training, were working in areas that had a high prevalence of HIV, had prior experience working in AIDS specialized hospitals, and worked in hospitals that had policies to protect PLWH showed a lower level of HIV-related stigma toward PLWH.</p><p><bold>Conclusions:</bold> Our findings suggested that providing culturally congruent education and training about HIV and care, and having hospitals that promoted policies protecting PLWH, may reduce HIV-related stigma toward PLWH among nurses in China.</p>