Manifestation of HIV stigma and stigma-reducing interventions among service providers

Abstract

The stigma associated with HIV/AIDS (H/A) and persons living with H/A (PLWHA) continues to pose significant barriers to accessing services and has a deleterious effect on the quality of care. Lack of H/A knowledge and awareness, cultural beliefs, misinformation, and stigma-enhancing policies have been linked with HIV-related stigma at the service provider level; however, research focusing on provider-level stigma and its effects on PLWHA is scarce. This study aims to address this critical gap in research, specifically in understanding how stigma manifests, what kinds of HIV stigma interventions exist, what best-practices are recommended to reduce HIV stigma and what the impact of service provider stigma is on the community. Study aims were investigated through a systematic literature review using the PRISMA protocol. Findings suggest that HIV-related stigma is still common among health care providers and is the product of a synergistic cooccurrence between deeply held personal beliefs and values. Findings also suggest that this stigma is propagated through lack of training and education on H/A and PLWHA populations, lack of experience, wide-ranging societal stigma, and biased individual views. We recommend an increase in psychosocial trainings for service providers. Practice interventions at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels are also recommended.