Provider-Centric Stigma Reduction Interventions Improve HIV Care

Provider-centric stigma reduction interventions can help reduce stigmatizing behaviors towards patients with HIV and potentially improve care, according to a new systematic review from the CDC.

Despite national progress in treating the disease and preventing transmissions, HIV-related stigma remains a primary barrier to individuals seeking care services. According to the report, HIV-related stigma has been associated with decreased testing, condom use, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake, medication adherence, linkage to care, and retention in care.

Although previous studies have focused on patients’ perspectives of stigma, there is limited evidence regarding the perspectives of health care providers. In the review, researchers from the CDC examined stigmatizing factors among health care providers that may impede a patient’s care. From an analysis of 619 studies published between 2010 and 2017, the authors identified 3 themes.

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