ABSTRACT
@#Abstract: Objective To explore the dynamic characteristics of stigmatization in HIV/AIDS patients and provide scientific evidence for psychological care. Methods HIV/AIDS patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) treatment in Nanning Fourth People's Hospital were randomly selected for baseline and 1 year follow-up questionnaire survey including internalized HIV stigma, anticipated HIV stigma, exposure to HIV stigma. The differences between the two groups at different time points were dynamically compared to analyze the changing characteristics of stigma in HIV/AIDS patients. Results After one year of ART treatment, among the eight items of internalizing stigma, five items including the proportion of feeling ashamed of being infected with HIV/AIDS, feeling unclean because of being infected with HIV/AIDS, feeling inferior to others because of having HIV/AIDS, feeling guilty because of having HIV/AIDS, and having a poorer self-perception due to how others view HIV/AIDS decreased significantly from 34.0% to 43.5% at the baseline to 19.5% to 29.5%, showing significant improvement with statistical significance (χ2=18.586, 14.277, 10.473, 12.219, 9.934, P<0.05); among the nine items of anticipated stigma, four items including the proportion of community/community workers not taking my needs seriously, discriminating against me, refusing to provide services for me, and healthcare workers avoiding contact with me decreased significantly from 16.0% to 27.5% at the baseline to 7.0% to 15.5%, respectively, showing significant improvement with statistical significance (χ2=13.690, 15.787, 12.034, 12.593, P<0.05); among the 16 items of exposure to HIV stigma, six items including the proportion of experiencing physical attacks, psychological pressure from spouses/partners, being refused sexual relationships, losing jobs or other economic sources, being rejected or losing a job opportunity due to HIV/AIDS, changing job nature due to HIV/AIDS, or being refused medical services decreased significantly from 2.5% to 15.0% at the baseline to 1.0% to 8.0%, respectively, showing significant improvement with statistical significance (χ2=8.619, 15.558, 6.061, 9.049, 5.432, 8.156, P<0.05). Physical assaults on people with HIV/AIDS increased by 5.5 percent(χ2=5.368, P<0.05). Conclusions Through 1-year dynamic monitoring, 48.48% of the three dimensions of stigma of HIV/AIDS patients were alleviated. Treatment intervention, self-acceptance and the creation of a good non-discriminatory social environment have an important impact on the stigma of HIV/AIDS patients and deserve the attention of society as a whole.