RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine the prevalence of HIV-related stigma among people with HIV (PWH) in Switzerland. DESIGN: A cross-sectional multicentre study nested within the Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS). METHODS: We included adult PWH enrolled in the SHCS, attending follow-up between March 1st, 2020, and January 31st, 2021. Inability to speak English, French, German, or Italian was the only exclusion criterion. Participants were invited to complete a validated 12-item HIV-stigma questionnaire comprising four stigma subscales (negative self-image, personalised stigma, disclosure concerns, and concerns regarding public attitudes), plus two healthcare-related stigma items. Questionnaire responses were graded using a four-point Likert-type scale, higher scores indicating higher stigma. "Non-applicable", inferring HIV-status non-disclosure, was possible for personalised stigma; stigma scores from participants answering "non-applicable" to ≥1 items were analysed separately. Factors associated with HIV-stigma were identified through multivariable linear models. RESULTS: Of 9643 PWH with a SHCS visit, 5563 participated in the study: 26% were female, 13% Black and 37% heterosexual; median age was 53âyears (interquartile range 44-59); 2067 participants (37%) gave ≥1 "non-applicable" responses. Disclosure concerns had the highest stigma scores and were reported by 4656/5563 (84%). HIV-stigma was reported across all demographic groups. However, being female, Black, and heterosexual were independently associated with higher scores. Higher education and longer follow-up duration were associated with lower scores. Healthcare-related stigma was reported in 37% of participants. CONCLUSIONS: HIV-stigma was prevalent across all demographic groups. The association with being female and Black suggests that HIV-stigma accentuates pre-existing gender and race inequalities.
RESUMO
Despite the improvements in antiretroviral therapy, the psychosocial management of persons living with HIV remains complex and requires a multidisciplinary approach. An auto-evaluation scale of psychosocial difficulties and needs was used by a team of nurses working in an HIV outpatient clinic. After 3 years of experience, this well-accepted tool revealed a high prevalence of psychosocial difficulties within this population, including psychological health, financial situation and sexual life. This instrument also allowed implementing a number of targeted nurse interventions to improve the management of these patients.
Malgré les progrès effectués dans le domaine des traitements antirétroviraux, la prise en charge psychosociale des patients vivant avec le VIH reste complexe et nécessite une approche multidisciplinaire. Une échelle d'auto-évaluation des difficultés et besoins d'aides psychosociaux a été utilisée par une équipe d'infirmières travaillant dans une consultation ambulatoire VIH. Après 3 ans d'expérience, cet outil, très bien accepté par les patients, a permis de révéler une prévalence importante de difficultés psychosociales dans cette population, touchant notamment la santé psychique, la situation financière et la sexualité. Cet outil a permis en outre de mettre en place un certain nombre d'interventions infirmières ciblées pour améliorer la prise en charge des patients.
