AIDS stigma and health professionals in Puerto Rico

描述（由申请人提供）：艾滋病的耻辱，或周围的艾滋病毒/艾滋病感染者的负面意义，已被周围的流行病的神话和错误的概念（Herek & Glunt，1988年，第886页）。艾滋病的耻辱感具有多种消极的心理社会后果，包括焦虑、抑郁、家庭动力的破坏、身体和情感暴力、社会支持的丧失以及与保健专业人员的生产关系的恶化（Chesney和Smith，1999年; Kalichman，1998年b;诺德，1997年）。 鉴于拉丁裔社区，特别是波多黎各人的艾滋病毒病例越来越多，有必要消除对艾滋病的耻辱感，特别是在与艾滋病毒阳性者打交道的专业人员中，如在卫生相关领域的专业人员中（诺德，1997年）。艾滋病污名化在卫生服务提供者中已有记录，如医生、护士、心理健康专业人员、社会工作者和其他照顾者（Acuff等人，1999; Gordon等人，1993; Herek & Glunt，1988; Rizzo，2002; Silverman，1993;史蒂文森& Storhm Kitchener，2000; Trezza，1994; Ventura，1999）。这些对艾滋病毒阳性者的污名化态度是不幸的，特别是当研究报告说，那些感到受到卫生专业人员污名化的人在获得最佳卫生服务方面面临问题时（Link & Alberan，2001年; Valdiserri，2002年;韦斯& Ramakrishna，2001年）。就在2002年，艾滋病毒/艾滋病感染者还记录了波多黎各保健专业人员的污名化态度。研究结果表明，需要解决艾滋病的耻辱，通过有效的干预措施，包括其他耻辱周围的流行病，如对性取向，吸毒者和妇女的负面态度。为了做到这一点，必须探讨保健专业人员对艾滋病毒/艾滋病的各种成见。 这项研究应用的主要目标是：1）探讨污名化的态度，艾滋病毒/艾滋病感染者之间的卫生专业人员在波多黎各，2）探讨其他污名化的态度，性别，性取向和药物使用的艾滋病污名在同一人群中的相互作用，和3）完善和试点测试干预模块，减少污名化面向这些专业人员。这些目标将通过实施一个连续的混合方法研究，使用定性的深入访谈和定量的自我管理的问卷调查，解决艾滋病的耻辱。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): AIDS stigma, or negative meanings surrounding people living with HIV/AIDS, has been fostered by myths and false notions surrounding the epidemic (Herek & Glunt, 1988, p. 886). AIDS stigma has multiple negative psychosocial consequences including anxiety, depression, disruption of family dynamics, physical and emotional violence, loss of social support and the deterioration of productive relations with health-related professionals (Chesney & Smith, 1999; Kalichman, 1998b; Nord, 1997). Given the growing number of HIV cases among the Latino community in general, and Puerto Ricans in specific, it is necessary to address the eradication of AIDS stigma, particularly among professionals who interact with HIV+ individuals such as those in health related fields (Nord, 1997). AIDS stigma has been documented among health services providers such as doctors, nurses, mental health professionals, social workers and other caregivers (Acuff, et al., 1999; Gordon, et al., 1993; Herek & Glunt, 1988; Rizzo, 2002; Silverman, 1993; Stevenson & Storhm Kitchener, 2000; Trezza, 1994; Ventura, 1999). These stigmatizing attitudes towards HIV+ people are unfortunate, especially when research has reported those who feel stigmatized by health professionals face problems accessing optimal health services (Link & Phelan, 2001; Valdiserri, 2002; Weiss & Ramakrishna, 2001). As recently as 2002 stigmatizing attitudes among health professionals in Puerto Rico have been documented by people living with HIV/AIDS. Findings suggest the need to address AIDS stigma through effective interventions that incorporate other stigmas surrounding the epidemic such as negative attitudes towards sexual orientation, drug users, and women. In order to do so, stigma combinations surrounding HIV/AIDS among health professionals must be explored. The main objectives of this research application are to: 1) to explore stigmatizing attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS among health professionals in Puerto Rico, 2) to explore the interaction of other stigmatizing attitudes towards gender, sexual orientation, and drug use with AIDS stigma in the same population, and 3) to refine and pilot test an intervention module for stigma reduction geared towards these professionals. These objectives will be achieved through the implementation of a sequential mixed method study using qualitative in-depth interviews and a quantitative self-administered questionnaire addressing AIDS stigma.