title: Gender and ethnicity differences in HIV-related stigma experienced by people living with HIV in Ontario, Canada.
abstract: This study aimed to understand gender and ethnicity differences in HIV-related stigma experienced by 1026 HIV-positive individuals living in Ontario, Canada that were enrolled in the OHTN Cohort Study. Total and subscale HIV-related stigma scores were measured using the revised HIV-related Stigma Scale. Correlates of total stigma scores were assessed in univariate and multivariate linear regression. Women had significantly higher total and subscale stigma scores than men (total, median = 56.0 vs. 48.0, p<0.0001). Among men and women, Black individuals had the highest, Aboriginal and Asian/Latin-American/Unspecified people intermediate, and White individuals the lowest total stigma scores. The gender-ethnicity interaction term was significant in multivariate analysis: Black women and Asian/Latin-American/Unspecified men reported the highest HIV-related stigma scores. Gender and ethnicity differences in HIV-related stigma were identified in our cohort. Findings suggest differing approaches may be required to address HIV-related stigma based on gender and ethnicity; and such strategies should challenge racist and sexist stereotypes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. mona.loutfy@wchospital.ca
authors.forename: Mona R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Loutfy
authors.forename: Carmen H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Logie
authors.forename: Yimeng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Sandra L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Blitz
authors.forename: Shari L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Margolese
authors.forename: Wangari E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Tharao
authors.forename: Sean B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Rourke
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rueda
authors.forename: Janet M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Raboud
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006678:HIV / Q000502:physiology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D057545:Social Stigma; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors