title: Women's experiences with HIV-related stigma from health care providers in Lima, Peru: "I would rather die than go back for care".
abstract: In Peru, HIV/AIDS is increasing among heterosexual women. In this qualitative study researchers examined HIV-related stigma among 14 women in Lima, Peru, who were HIV positive and at least 18 years of age. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis and indicated that women experienced stigma from health care providers. Two broad themes emerged from the data: forms of stigma and response to stigma. Within these themes, subthemes included maltreatment during care, neglect of patients' rights to confidentiality and privacy, and the process of women speaking out. Stigma from health care providers had a long-term, negative impact on women's willingness to seek treatment. Future stigma reduction initiatives, on a global level, should include health care workers.
authors.affiliation: a School of Nursing and Health Professions , University of San Francisco , San Francisco , California , USA.
authors.forename: Dellanira
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Valencia-Garcia
authors.affiliation: b Department of Global Health , University of Washington , Seattle , Washington , USA.
authors.forename: Deepa
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.affiliation: c Department of Medicine , University of Washington , Seattle , Washington , USA.
authors.forename: Lara
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Strick
authors.affiliation: d Department of Psychology , University of Washington , Seattle , Washington , USA.
authors.forename: Jane M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Simoni
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004192:Discrimination, Psychological; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology*; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D028701:Patient Rights; D010568:Peru; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D057545:Social Stigma