AIDS Patient Care and STDs
Volume 22, Issue 10, 2008, Pages 823-831

Expressions of HIV-related stigma among rural-to-urban migrants in China (Article)

Hong Y. , Li X.* , Stanton B. , Fang X. , Lin D. , Wang J. , Mao R. , Yang H.
  • a Department of Social and Behavioral Health, Texas A and M Health Science Center, School of Rural Public Health, College Station, TX, United States
  • b Carman and Ann Adams Department of Pediatrics, Prevention Research Center, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States, Prevention Research Center, Carman and Ann Adams Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4201 St. Antoine Street, Detroit, MI 48201, United States
  • c Carman and Ann Adams Department of Pediatrics, Prevention Research Center, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
  • d Institute of Developmental Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
  • e Institute of Developmental Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
  • f Institute of Mental Health, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
  • g Institute of Mental Health, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
  • h Population Services International, Washington, DC, United States

Abstract

In China, HIV-related stigma is considered as a formidable barrier in the combat against the HIV epidemic. There have been few qualitative investigations on HIV-related stigma in China, especially among a vulnerable population of rural-to-urban migrants. Based on 90 in-depth interviews conducted in 2002-2003 with rural-to-urban migrants in Beijing and Nanjing, China, this study examines the forms and expressions of HIV-related stigma from migrants' perspectives regarding HIV infection and individuals at risk of HIV infection. Consistent with the general framework on stigma, Chinese rural-to-urban migrants' attitudes toward HIV infected individuals take forms of denial, indifference, labeling, separation, rejection, status loss, shame, hopelessness, and fear. These stigmatizing attitudes were mainly derived from fears of AIDS contagion and its negative consequences, fears of being associated with the diseases, and culturally relevant moral judgments. In addition to universal AIDS stigma, both traditional Chinese culture and socially marginalized position of rural migrant population have contributed to culturally unique aspects of stigmatizing attitudes among rural-to-urban migrants. These multifaceted manifestations of HIV-related stigma suggest that HIV stigma reduction intervention needs to address multiple aspects of HIV stigma and stigmatization including personal, cultural, institutional, and structural factors. © 2008 Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

urban population China HIV Infections denial Stereotyping human rural population attitude to life attitude to AIDS attitude to illness Humans Adolescent male female qualitative analysis cultural factor stigma Article epidemic major clinical study adult Shame separation anxiety Prejudice hopelessness Transients and Migrants Fear population migration
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-53849105761&doi=10.1089%2fapc.2008.0001&partnerID=40&md5=639a6846aeff7a1a6218bbd04d5e16c7
DOI: 10.1089/apc.2008.0001
ISSN: 10872914
Cited by: 23
Original Language: English