HIV/AIDS Patient's Experiences about Stigma: a Qualitative Study

HIV/AIDS stigma has influenced HIV/AIDS patients and the medical system. The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of perceived stigma in these patients in relation to the public and health care workers (PLWHA). In-depth, semi-structured interviews were held with a purposively selected group of 61 PLWH recruited from two HIV care clinics in Tehran during 2009-2010. Data were analyzed using the content analysis approach. The results were categorized into two themes based on the two major themes of extrinsic stigma (i.e. taunting, bashfulness and discrimination) and intrinsic stigma (i.e. rejection, seclusion, and frustration). Taunting and rejection were among the patient's main experiences. This study implies that it is crucial to integrate education to reduce stigma into HIV education programs by behavior change theories.