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

VernacularTitle:HIV/AIDS患者歧视感与心理健康状况、不安全性行为的相关性研究
Author: Yan LIU ; Huanyu GONG ; Guoli YANG ; Jin YAN
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: people living with HIV/AIDS; perceived stigma; depression; anxiety; unsafe sexual behavior
From: Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2014;(7):658-663
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
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. hTe results were statistically analyzed with SPSS18.0. Results: hTe 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 signiifcantly correlated with other sexual behaviors. Hierarchical regression showed perceived stigma had an effect on anxiety. Conclusion: hTe 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.