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.
St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, Houston, Texas 77079, USA. gmoore@sleh.com
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Diane A
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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