
Objectives: We aimed to determine the prevalence of HIV-related stigma among people with HIV (PWH) in Switzerland Design: A cross-sectional multicenter study nested within the Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS). Methods: We included adult PWH enrolled in the SHCS, attending follow-up between March 1, 2020, and January 31, 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, personalized 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 personalized stigma; stigma scores from participants answering “non-applicable” to at least one item were analyzed 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 53 years (interquartile range 44–59); 2067 participants (37%) gave at least one “non-applicable” response. 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. Conclusion: HIV-stigma was prevalent across all demographic groups. The association with being female and Black suggests that HIV-stigma accentuates preexisting sex and race inequalities.
Male, Adult, Epidemiology and Social, Social Stigma, 610 Medicine & health, HIV Infections, Middle Aged, Cross-Sectional Studies, Surveys and Questionnaires, Prevalence, Humans, Female, Switzerland, Humans; Female; Male; HIV Infections/psychology; HIV Infections/epidemiology; Social Stigma; Middle Aged; Switzerland/epidemiology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Adult; Prevalence; Surveys and Questionnaires
Male, Adult, Epidemiology and Social, Social Stigma, 610 Medicine & health, HIV Infections, Middle Aged, Cross-Sectional Studies, Surveys and Questionnaires, Prevalence, Humans, Female, Switzerland, Humans; Female; Male; HIV Infections/psychology; HIV Infections/epidemiology; Social Stigma; Middle Aged; Switzerland/epidemiology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Adult; Prevalence; Surveys and Questionnaires
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 0 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Average | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Average | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Average |
