從2011年至2017年，舊金山灣區的愛滋污名並未減少
資料來源：Roger Pebody. Aidsmap news. 發布日期：2019年4月25日
2013年，舊金山採取了「實現達到零」的愛滋病毒策略，目標是到2030年將愛滋新感染者人數歸零、因愛滋導致之死亡歸零、以及對愛滋感染者的污名亦歸零。儘管前兩項指標取得了很大進展，預先在「愛滋病與行為」醫學期刊印行版之前在線上發表的研究則顯示，男同性戀與雙性戀男性認為對愛滋感染者上的污名仍然沒有減少。
作為國家愛滋病行為監測（National HIV Behavioral Surveillance , NHBS）的一部分，分別於2011年、2014年和2017年在同性戀場域所進行之橫斷調查。每個調查都有超過400名的男性參加。其中一個問題是問他們是否同意這一說法：「舊金山灣區的大多數人會歧視愛滋感染者」。
男性在同意或非常同意該聲明的比例上並沒有顯著變化（三次調查中分別為22％，23％和21％）。HIV陽性和HIV陰性的男性對污名上的看法之間亦沒有統計學上的顯著差異。
非白人男性與30歲以下的男性更容易感受到污名。
研究人員指出，污名（包括曾有經驗與預期未來經歷）是愛滋防治的障礙。愛滋污名可能會被內化，導致自我價值低落、沮喪和羞恥感，使人們更難以照顧自己的健康。對愛滋的污名更可能會因與對種族、性取向、性別認同、無家可歸、從事性工作以及物質使用等有關的多重污名而加劇。
研究者表示：「我們的調查結果是對於我們即將在2030年實現終結愛滋流行目標上一個反對自滿的警鐘，特別是在最弱勢最易感的族群當中」。
No reduction in HIV stigma in San Francisco, 2011 to 2017
Roger Pebody Published: 25 April 2019. aidsmap news
In 2013, San Francisco adopted a ‘Getting to Zero’ HIV strategy, with the aim of getting to zero new HIV infections, zero HIV deaths, and zero HIV stigma by 2030. While there has been great progress towards the first two indicators, a study published online ahead of print in AIDS and Behavior suggests no reduction in HIV stigma perceived by gay and bisexual men.
Cross-sectional surveys were conducted in gay venues in 2011, 2014 and 2017 as part of National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS). Over 400 men participated in each survey. One of the questions asked whether they would agree with the statement: “Most people in the San Francisco Bay Area would discriminate against someone with HIV.”
There was no significant change in the proportion of men agreeing or strongly agreeing with the statement (22%, 23% and 21% in the three surveys). There were no statistically significant differences between HIV-positive and HIV-negative men’s perception of stigma.
Non-white men and those under the age of 30 were more likely to perceive stigma.
The researchers note that stigma – both experienced and anticipated – is a barrier to engagement with prevention and treatment. HIV stigma may be internalised, resulting in feelings of low self-worth, depression, and shame, making it harder for people to look after their health. HIV stigma may be compounded by stigma related to ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, homelessness, sex work and substance use.
“Our findings are a wake-up call against complacency that we will achieve our goal of ending the HIV epidemic by 2030, particularly among the most vulnerable populations,” they say.
Reference
Beltran S et al. Will We Get to Zero HIV Stigma in San Francisco? AIDS and Behavior, online ahead of print, 5 April 2019.