Hepatitis C: studying stigma.
The purpose of this study was to examine hepatitis C-related stigma within a population of liver disease support group attendees. In total, 39 participants completed a quantitative/qualitative survey during support group meetings. This article reports on the quantitative data. Data collected included the source and location of stigma and stigma's effects on health-seeking behavior and disclosure practices (DISCs). Of the participants, 84.6% experienced hepatitis C-related stigma. All who were Hispanic or older than 65 years experienced stigma. The most common source of stigma was healthcare professionals. More participants reported a decrease in DISCs than in health-seeking behavior. A small portion of participants reported increases in both. Those persons who were stigmatized by healthcare professionals were significantly more likely to subsequently decrease their health-seeking behavior. Of those who reported decreases in DISCs after being stigmatized, more than half (54.5%) were stigmatized by healthcare professionals. The most common location for stigmatization was in the home setting. The findings hold important implications for learning needs of healthcare professionals.
Moore
Grace A
GA
St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, Houston, Texas 77079, USA. gmoore@sleh.com
Hawley
Diane A
DA
Bradley
Pat
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D011287:Prejudice; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D015206:Southwestern United States; D013240:Stereotyping; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D044465:White People / Q000208:ethnology