scholarly journals Social Distancing to Mitigate COVID-19 Risks Is Associated With COVID-19 Discriminatory Attitudes Among People Living with HIV

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (10) ◽  
pp. 728-737
Author(s):  
Marcie Berman ◽  
Lisa A Eaton ◽  
Ryan J Watson ◽  
J L Andrepont ◽  
Seth Kalichman

Abstract Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is an emerging pandemic with heightened concerns for people with compromised immune systems, including people living with HIV. Purpose In the absence of a vaccine, public health messaging to mitigate risks for COVID-19 primarily focuses on social distancing. Because people living with HIV commonly experience mistreatment associated with HIV, their response to social distancing may be complicated by psychosocial attitudes associated with COVID-19. Methods To evaluate these relationships, we conducted a rapid-response, cross-sectional survey with people living with HIV (N = 149) to assess social distancing practices, COVID-19 discriminatory attitudes, COVID-19 xenophobic attitudes, HIV microaggressions, and concern over contracting COVID-19. Data were collected from participants enrolled in a larger ongoing study between March 30, 2020 and April 17, 2020. Results Results indicated that choosing to socially distance to reduce COVID-19 exposure was associated with COVID-19 discriminatory attitudes, concerns of contracting COVID-19, and identifying as transgender. Likewise, social distancing imposed by others (e.g., cancelations and restrictions) was associated with concerns of contracting COVID-19. Conclusions Findings demonstrate that social distancing measures are related to concerns of contracting the virus and discriminatory attitudes toward those who are presumed to be living with COVID-19. These potentially negative psychosocial attitudes toward people perceived to have COVID-19 echo the discriminatory actions and attitudes that we continue to observe in HIV social sciences research.

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 249-264
Author(s):  
Gert Scheerder ◽  
Sandra Van den Eynde ◽  
Patrick Reyntiens ◽  
Ria Koeck ◽  
Jessika Deblonde ◽  
...  

This cross-sectional survey explored the quality of life in 505 people living with HIV in Belgium. Several domains of quality of life were impaired: 26% had been diagnosed with depression and 43% had weak social support. HIV-related stigma is still widespread, with 49% believing most people with HIV are rejected and 65% having experienced discrimination due to HIV. The impact of HIV was limited on professional life, but 40% experienced a negative impact on life satisfaction and 41% a negative impact on sexual life. For several domains, people with a recent diagnosis of HIV and long-term survivors had significantly worse scores. This survey also uncovered strengths of people living with HIV, such as positive coping and HIV self-image. Expanding the scope of quality of life in people living with HIV may provide a more complete picture of relevant life domains that may be impacted by living with HIV, but this needs further validation.


AIDS Care ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 436-442
Author(s):  
Stephanie K. Bell ◽  
Gabriela Mena ◽  
Judith Dean ◽  
Peter Watts ◽  
Chris Howard ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Idongesit Godwin Utuk ◽  
Kayode Omoniyi Osungbade ◽  
Taiwo Akinyode Obembe ◽  
David Ayobami Adewole ◽  
Victoria Oluwabunmi Oladoyin

Background:Despite demonstrating global concerns about infection in the workplace, very little research has explored how co-workers react to those living with HIV in the workplace in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to assess the level of stigmatising attitude towards co-workers living with HIV in the workplace.Methods:The study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey involving 403 respondents. They were recruited from selected companies through a multistage sampling technique. Survey was carried out using pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences to generate frequencies, cross tabulations of variables at 5% level of significance. Logistic regression model was used to determine the predictors at 95% confidence intervals.Results:Mean age of respondents was 32.9 ± 9.4 years with 86.1% being females. Overall, slightly below two-third (63.0%) had good knowledge on transmission of HIV/AIDS while 218 (54.1%) respondents had a high stigmatising attitude towards co-workers with HIV in the workplace. More female respondents (69.6%) demonstrated high stigmatising attitudes towards co-workers with HIV in the workplace (p = 0.012). Female workers were twice more likely to have high stigmatising attitudes towards co-worker with HIV [OR 2.1 (95% CI: 1.13 – 3.83)].Conclusion:Stigma towards people living with HIV/AIDs is still very persistent in different settings. Good knowledge amongst our participants about HIV/AIDs did not translate to low stigmatising attitudes among workers. Concerted efforts and trainings on the transmission of HIV/AIDs are essential to reduce stigma that is still very prevalent in workplace settings.


Author(s):  
Devon L Barrett ◽  
Katharine W Rainer ◽  
Chao Zhang ◽  
Travis W Blalock

Background: Since the implementation of social distancing practices during the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic there have been a myriad of definitions for ‘social distancing.’ The objective of this study was to determine students’ awareness of the various definitions of social distancing, how strictly they adhered to social distancing guidelines, and how they perceived the importance of various social distancing practices.  Methods: This cross-sectional survey was distributed via email to students at Emory-affiliated graduate schools, including the Medical, Nursing, and Public Health Schools. Results: Of the 2,453 recipients of the survey, 415 students responded (16.9% response rate). The majority of respondents were medical students (n=225, 55.6%). Of the respondents, 357 noted that they “frequently” or “always” abided by social distancing. The most common definition of social distancing with which respondents were familiar was the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s (n=276 of 369 responses, 74.8%). There were significant differences across groups  when grouping students by the definition of social distancing that they were aware of, the social distancing guideline they most closely followed, and their school of attendance regarding the importance of specific social distancing examples (p<0.05 for each). Conclusions: A survey of healthcare students identified differences in the importance of social distancing practices based on the definition of social distancing that they were aware of. The results of this study underscore the importance of having unified definitions of public health messaging, which ultimately may impact disease spread.


2020 ◽  
Vol 85 (3) ◽  
pp. 257-262
Author(s):  
Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo ◽  
Edlaine Faria de Moura Villela ◽  
Stijn Van Hees ◽  
Thalia Tibério dos Santos ◽  
Pieter Vanholder ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 369-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
María J. Fuster-RuizdeApodaca ◽  
Nuria Sánchez-Vega ◽  
María J. Galindo ◽  
Ignacio Marín-Jimenez ◽  
Javier de Toro ◽  
...  

2009 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristi Rüütel ◽  
Heti Pisarev ◽  
Helle-Mai Loit ◽  
Anneli Uusküla

2019 ◽  
Vol 53 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Retno Palupi ◽  
Agung Sosiawan ◽  
Gilang Rasuna Sabdho Wening ◽  
Aulia Ramadhani

Background. Human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) / Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is one of the most significant public health challenges in Surabaya, Indonesia where the greatest number of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) among key populations is in areas served by Sememi Public Health Center. HIV-infected persons have a greater risk for developing dental caries, such as salivary gland enlargement, and decreased salivary glands function. Given the fact that PLWHA are at high risk of dental caries, utilization of dental health service among PLWHA are still low. Objective. This study aims to know the factors influencing dental caries in HIV/AIDS patients.Methods. This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted on 16 HIV-seropositive individuals. They were asked to complete a WHO questionnaire concerning basic oral health and quality of life. Dental caries was assessed using the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index. Whole stimulated saliva samples were also collected.Results. Nine out of 16 respondents had low salivary flow rate (56.3%). One patient had low DMF-T score (6.3%) and eight had high DMFT score (50%). Among seven respondents who had normal salivary flow rate (43.8%), two of whom had low DMFT score (12.5%) and five of whom had high DMFT score (31.3%).Conclusion. People living with HIV/AIDS have high DMFT and low salivary flow rate.


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