HIV-related discrimination reported by people living with HIV in London, UK

AIDS Behav. 2008 Mar;12(2):255-64. doi: 10.1007/s10461-007-9344-2. Epub 2007 Dec 13.

Abstract

The objective was to examine the extent to which people living with HIV in London reported being discriminated against because of their infection. In 2004-2005, people living with HIV attending NHS outpatient HIV clinics in north east London were asked: "Have you ever been treated unfairly or differently because of your HIV status-in other words discriminated against?". Of the 1,687 people who returned a questionnaire (73% response rate), data from 1,385 respondents were included in this analysis; 448 heterosexual women and 210 heterosexual men of black African origin, 727 gay/bisexual men (621 white, 106 ethnic minority). Overall, nearly one-third of respondents (29.9%, 414/1,385) said they had been discriminated against because of their HIV infection. Of those who reported experiencing HIV-related discrimination, almost a half (49.6%, 200/403) said this had involved a health care worker including their dentist (n = 102, 25.3%) or primary care physician (n = 70, 17.4%).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology*
  • HIV Infections / ethnology
  • HIV Infections / psychology*
  • HIV Seropositivity / psychology*
  • Heterosexuality
  • Humans
  • London / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Prejudice*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires