Stigma and Discrimination in HIV Care: A Pilot Study in a Public Hospital
Keywords:
Stigma, Discrimination, PLHIV, Social SupportAbstract
People living with HIV (PLHIV) in Malaysia face Stigma and discrimination both in healthcare and the community, often fueled by negative media portrayals. This qualitative pilot study explored the experiences of five PLHIV receiving treatment in a public hospital. Findings revealed both supportive healthcare interactions and challenges, including access to HAART and discriminatory practices. Social support from family, NGOs, and healthcare providers was crucial in maintaining resilience and motivation. The study highlights the urgent need for stigma-reduction interventions, positive media portrayals, and strengthened support systems to improve PLHIV's quality of life.
References
Aghaei, A., Sakhaei, A., Khalilimeybodi, A., Qiao, S., & Li, X. (2023). Impact of Mass Media on HIV/AIDS Stigma Reduction: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. AIDS and Behavior, 27(10), 3414–3429. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-023-04057-5
Armoon, B., Fleury, M. J., Bayat, A. H., Fakhri, Y., Higgs, P., Moghaddam, L. F., & Gonabadi-Nezhad, L. (2022). HIV related Stigma associated with social support, alcohol use disorders, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation among people living with HIV: a systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 16(1), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-022-00527-w
Chong, S. C. S., Kamarulzaman, A., Azwa, I., Ng, R. X., Chong, M. L., Raman, N., & Bourne, A. (2021). Delayed HIV testing and treatment seeking, and associated support needs among people living with HIV in Malaysia: a qualitative study. Sexual Health, 18(2), 147–155. https://doi.org/10.1071/SH20180
Earnshaw, V. A., Cox, J., Wong, P. L., Saifi, R., Walters, S., Azwa, I., Omar, S. F. S., Collier, Z. K., Hassan, A. A., Lim, S. H., Wickersham, J., Haddad, M. S., & Kamarulzaman, A. (2023). “I want the doctors to know that I am as bright as a candle”: AIDS and Behavior, 27(7), 2103–2112. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-022-03942-9
Elamin, M. O., Rajaa, Y., Adetunji, H. A., Khalid, S., & Siddiq, R. (2019). Stigma and discrimination among health care providers towards people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). International Journal of Public Health Science (IJPHS), 8(1), 36. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijphs.v8i1.17081
Fauk, N. K., Hawke, K., Mwanri, L., & Ward, P. R. (2021). Stigma and discrimination towards people living with hiv in the context of families, communities, and healthcare settings: A qualitative study in Indonesia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(10), 5424. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18105424
Jusoh, W. S. A. W., Awaluddin, S. M., Kassim, M. S. A., & Sahril, N. (2020). Prevalence of HIV stigma and factors associated with discriminatory attitudes toward people living with HIV (PLHIV) among people aged 15-49 years in Malaysia: A nationwide survey. BMC Public Health, 13(1), 23497196. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-13-220
Mendonca, C. J., Newton-John, T. R. O., Alperstein, D. M., Begley, K., Hennessy, R. M., & Bulsara, S. M. (2023). Quality of Life of People Living with HIV in Australia: The Role of Stigma, Social Disconnection and Mental Health. AIDS and Behavior, 27(2), 545. https://doi.org/10.1007/S10461-022-03790-7
Obeagu, E. I., Obeagu, G. U., Edward Odogbu Odo, Igwe, M. C., P.-C., U. O., E. U. Alum, Racheal, P., & Okwaja. (2024). Combatting Stigma: Essential Steps in Halting HIV Spread. IAA Journal of Applied Sciences, 11(1), 22–29. https://doi.org/10.59298/iaajas/2024/3.5.78156
Reddy, D., & Berry, N. S. (2022). Improving HIV medication adherence among displaced people living with HIV: a qualitative study of refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia. Conflict and Health, 16(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13031-022-00482-w
Rich, C., Mavhu, W., France, N. F., Munatsi, V., Byrne, E., Willis, N., & Nolan, A. (2022). Exploring the beliefs, experiences, and impacts of HIV-related self-stigma amongst adolescents and young adults living with HIV in Harare, Zimbabwe: A qualitative study. PLoS ONE, 17(5 May), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0268498
Rosen, A. O., Wickersham, J. A., Altice, F. L., Khati, A., Luces, J. R., Ni, Z., Zhou, X., Azwa, I., Kamarulzaman, A., Ab Halim, M. A., & Shrestha, R. (2022). Adaptation of a Theory-Based, Clinic-Affiliated Smartphone App to Improve HIV Testing and Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Uptake Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men in Malaysia. Iproceedings, 8(1), e39358. https://doi.org/10.2196/39358
Shaari, A. A. Ha., & Alghmadi, I. A. (2024). Perceived Challenges and Social Support for Muslim Women Living with HIV (WLWHIV) in Malaysia. 46(2), 192–207.
Turi, E., Simegnew, D., Fekadu, G., Tolossa, T., Desalegn, M., Bayisa, L., Mulisa, D., & Abajobir, A. (2021).
High Perceived Stigma Among People Living with HIV/AIDS in a Resource-Limited Setting in Western Ethiopia: The Effect of Depression and Low Social Support
. HIV/AIDS - Research and Palliative Care, 13, 389–397. https://doi.org/10.2147/HIV.S295110
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Azliha Minai Rajab , Azlini Chik , Jheffany Yazid , Sulistyo Andarmoyo
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
