title: AIDS-related stigma and mental disorders among people living with HIV: a cross-sectional study in Cambodia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  AIDS-related stigma and mental disorders are the most common conditions in people living with HIV (PLHIV). We therefore conducted this study to examine the association of AIDS-related stigma and discrimination with mental disorders among PLHIV in Cambodia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A two-stage cluster sampling method was used to select 1,003 adult PLHIV from six provinces. The People Living with HIV Stigma Index was used to measure stigma and discrimination, and a short version of general health questionnaire (GHQ-12) was used to measure mental disorders. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The reported experiences of discrimination in communities in the past 12 months ranged from 0.8% for reports of being denied health services to 42.3% for being aware of being gossiped about. Internal stigma was also common ranging from 2.8% for avoiding going to a local clinic and/or hospital to 59.6% for deciding not to have (more) children. The proportions of PLHIV who reported fear of stigma and discrimination ranged from 13.9% for fear of being physically assaulted to 34.5% for fear of being gossiped about. The mean score of GHQ-12 was 3.2 (SD = 2.4). After controlling for several potential confounders, higher levels of mental disorders (GHQ-12≥ 4) remained significantly associated with higher levels of experiences of stigma and discrimination in family and communities (AOR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.4-2.6), higher levels of internal stigma (AOR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.2-2.3), and higher levels of fear of stigma and discrimination in family and communities (AOR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.1-2.2).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AIDS-related stigma and discrimination among PLHIV in Cambodia are common and may have potential impacts on their mental health conditions. These findings indicate a need for community-based interventions to reduce stigma and discrimination in the general public and to help PLHIV to cope with this situation.
authors: Research Department, KHANA, Phnom Penh, Cambodia; Public Health Program, College of Education and Health Sciences, Touro University California, Vallejo, California, United States of America.
authors: Siyan
authors: S
authors: Yi
authors: Research Department, KHANA, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
authors: Pheak
authors: P
authors: Chhoun
authors: Research Department, KHANA, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
authors: Samedy
authors: S
authors: Suong
authors: Research Department, KHANA, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
authors: Kouland
authors: K
authors: Thin
authors: Public Health Program, College of Education and Health Sciences, Touro University California, Vallejo, California, United States of America.
authors: Carinne
authors: C
authors: Brody
authors: Research Department, KHANA, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
authors: Sovannary
authors: S
authors: Tuot
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002160:Cambodia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D057545:Social Stigma; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires