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.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
5R21DA017643-03
Application #
6928585
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-SSS-N (51))
Program Officer
Jones, Dionne
Project Start
2003-09-10
Project End
2007-06-30
Budget Start
2005-07-01
Budget End
2007-06-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2005
Total Cost
$147,500
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
143960193
City
San Juan
State
PR
Country
United States
Zip Code
00931
Varas-Diaz, Nelson; Santiago-Negron, Salvador; Neilands, Torsten B et al. (2010) Stigmatization of illicit drug use among Puerto Rican health professionals in training. P R Health Sci J 29:109-16
Paiva, V; Garcia, J; Rios, L F et al. (2010) Religious communities and HIV prevention: an intervention study using a human rights-based approach. Glob Public Health 5:280-94
Varas-Díaz, N; Neilands, T B; Malavé Rivera, S et al. (2010) Religion and HIV/AIDS stigma: implications for health professionals in Puerto Rico. Glob Public Health 5:295-312
Varas-Diaz, Nelson; Neilands, Torsten B (2009) Development and validation of a culturally appropriate HIV/AIDS Stigma Scale for Puerto Rican health professionals in training. AIDS Care 21:1259-70
Rodriguez, Yarimar Rosa; Diaz, Nelson Varas (2008) Percepcion de competencia y adiestramiento profesional especializado relativos al VIH/SIDA en estudiantes y profesionales de la salud: el estigma como un indicador de necesidad. Apunt Psicol 26:69-89
Diaz, Nelson Varas; Rivera, Souhail Malave; Bou, Francheska Cintron (2008) AIDS stigma combinations in a sample of Puerto Rican health professionals: qualitative and quantitative evidence. P R Health Sci J 27:147-57
Varas-Diaz, N; Marzan-Rodriguez, M (2007) The emotional aspect of AIDS stigma among health professionals in Puerto Rico. AIDS Care 19:1247-57