A qualitative study of stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) are a pressing problem in Vietnam, in particular because of propaganda associating HIV with the "social evils" of sex work and drug use. There is little understanding of the causes and sequelae of stigma and discrimination against PLHIV in Vietnam. Fifty-three PLHIV participated in focus group discussions in Ho Chi Minh City. Nearly all participants experienced some form of stigma and discrimination. Causes included exaggerated fears of HIV infection, misperceptions about HIV transmission, and negative representations of PLHIV in the media. Participants faced problems getting a job, perceived unfair treatment in the workplace and experienced discrimination in the healthcare setting. Both discrimination and support were reported in the family environment. There is a need to enforce laws against discrimination and provide education to decrease stigma against PLHIV in Vietnam. Recent public campaigns encouraging compassion toward PLHIV and less discrimination from healthcare providers who work with PLHIV have been encouraging.
Thi
Mai Doan Anh
MD
Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California, San Francisco, USA.
Brickley
Deborah Bain
DB
Vinh
Dang Thi Nhat
DT
Colby
Donn J
DJ
Sohn
Annette H
AH
Trung
Nguyen Quang
NQ
Giang
Le Truong
le T
Mandel
Jeffrey S
JS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011287:Prejudice; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012934:Social Isolation; D013240:Stereotyping; D014505:Urban Population; D014744:Vietnam