The stigma of HIV positive users of the public health system

Authors

  • Cléa Adas Saliba Garbin
  • Ronald Jefferson Martins
  • Naiana de Melo Belila
  • Artênio José Ísper Garbin

Keywords:

discrimination, HIV positive, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Abstract

Introduction: The initial idea of AIDS as a disease that affects individuals with attitudes disapproved by society has caused stigmatization and prejudice among HIV positive individuals. Objective: To analyze the existence of prejudice and discriminatory attitudes of Unified Health System (“Sistema Único de Saúde” – SUS) users towards HIV positive individuals, according to socioeconomic class. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, descriptive research, with quantitative approaches. We categorized the population according to the Brazilian Criterion of Economic Classification, and applied a structured questionnaire related to prejudice, discrimination, and perceptions regarding sterilization and infectious diseases; as well as questions from a relevant Ministry of Health publication. Results: The study population consisted of 150 individuals, 77.3% of which asserted they would agree to be treated immediately after an HIV positive patient and 92% after a prisoner. However, 42% preferred being examined before HIV positive individuals, and 23.3% before a prisoner. The majority reported concern about the sterilization of dental material (98%), though 42% did not know how the procedure was carried out. There was significant difference between individuals who initially said they would not mind being received after HIV positive patients (p=0.0029) or inmates (p<0.0001), and those who later said they would rather be received before individuals in these conditions. There was no association between socioeconomic class and prejudice. Conclusion: SUS users show prejudicial and discriminatory attitudes toward HIV patients, often expressed in subtle manners, regardless of economic class of the individual.

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Author Biographies

Cléa Adas Saliba Garbin

Department of Child and Social Dentistry at the School of Dentistry of Araçatuba, Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” – Araçatuba (SP), Brazil.

Ronald Jefferson Martins

Department of Child and Social Dentistry at the School of Dentistry of Araçatuba, Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” – Araçatuba (SP), Brazil.

Naiana de Melo Belila

Department of Child and Social Dentistry at the School of Dentistry of Araçatuba, Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” – Araçatuba (SP), Brazil.

Artênio José Ísper Garbin

Department of Child and Social Dentistry at the School of Dentistry of Araçatuba, Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” – Araçatuba (SP), Brazil.

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Published

2017-01-08

How to Cite

1.
Garbin CAS, Martins RJ, Belila N de M, Garbin AJ Ísper. The stigma of HIV positive users of the public health system. DST [Internet]. 2017 Jan. 8 [cited 2024 Mar. 29];29(1):12-6. Available from: https://bjstd.org/revista/article/view/791

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Section

Original Article