Social, Demographical, and Clinical Correlates of Stigma in Iranian Breast Cancer Women
Abstract Background: This study aimed to assess the severity of disease-related stigma felt by Iranian women with breast cancer as well as to determine the contextual correlates of stigmatization.Methods: This cross-sectional study included 223 breast cancer patients between October-2014 and May-2015, in Tehran, Iran. Eligible patients were asked to provide background data and to complete Stigma Scale for Chronic Illness 8-item (SSCI-8) questionnaire. Binomial logistic regression analysis was employed to identify stigmatized (SSCI-8 > 8) and heavily stigmatized (SSCI-8 >10) groups.Results: A total of 58.3% (n=130) stated that they were stigmatized at least “rarely.” In the multi-variable models in the total sample, living with spouse, Turkic ethnicity, family history of chronic diseases were the significant associations of stigmatization, while no variable was found to be associated with heavily stigmatization. In the sub-sample having the data of spouse’s education (n=185), living with spouse, lower spouse’s education, and family history of chronic diseases were the significant correlates of stigmatization; while, in terms of heavily stigmatization, only the lower spouse’s education was the significant indicator.Conclusions: Stigmatization tails women with breast cancer especially those living with their poorly educated husbands which call for dyadic interventions.