Perceived stigma, mental health and unsafe sexual behaviors of people living with HIV/AIDS

Yan Liu; Huanyu Gong; Guoli Yang; Jin Yan

doi:10.11817/j.issn.1672-7347.2014.07.002

Perceived stigma, mental health and unsafe sexual behaviors of people living with HIV/AIDS

Zhong Nan Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban. 2014 Jul;39(7):658-63. doi: 10.11817/j.issn.1672-7347.2014.07.002.

Authors

Yan Liu¹, Huanyu Gong, Guoli Yang, Jin Yan

Affiliation

¹ Department of infectious disease, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China.

PMID: 25080902
DOI: 10.11817/j.issn.1672-7347.2014.07.002

Abstract

Objective: To determine the relationship among perceived stigma, mental health and unsafe sexual behaviors of people living with HIV/AIDS.

Methods: Cross-sectional research was used to interview people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) from April 2012 to March 2013 in Changsha, China. The questionnaires included General Questionnaire, Sexual Behavior Questionnaire, Patient Health Questionnaire Depression Scale (PHQ-9), General Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) and Psychometric Assessment of the HIV Stigma Scale. The results were statistically analyzed with SPSS18.0.

Results: The total score of perceived stigma and its 4 dimensions were positively correlated with anxiety and depression. The total score of perceived stigma and its dimensions were associated with disclosure, but no significantly correlated with other sexual behaviors. Hierarchical regression showed perceived stigma had an effect on anxiety.

Conclusion: The stigma perceived by PLWHA is above the average level. Perceived stigma has an effect on mental health, especially anxiety, but no effect on unsafe sexual behaviors.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome*
Anxiety
China
Cross-Sectional Studies
Depression
HIV Infections*
Humans
Mental Health*
Social Stigma*
Surveys and Questionnaires
Unsafe Sex*