What do HIV stigma index studies say in Iran?

HIV-related stigma and discrimination are very common, especially in the developing countries. Stigma is also one of the most significant barriers to adherence to long-term treatment that prevents patients from taking antiretroviral therapy (ART). Two projects have been conducted In Iran to assess the stigma index among people living with HIV (PLWH). The Stigma Index 1 study was conducted in 2010 among 298 PLWH in six cities, and the results showed that about 62% of PLWH in the survey experienced the external stigma, and about 99% of PLWH experienced the internal stigma. This study demonstrated a high level of internal stigma, including feelings of shame, guilt, and humiliation. Subsequently, in 2020, 10 years later, this survey was repeated entitle HIV Stigma Index 2. The HIV Stigma Index 2 study was conducted with the help of peers and under the supervision of the Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+). In this study, the external stigma was reduced, which was not meaningful in comparison with the previous study which was 62%, but the internal stigma, which included feelings of guilt, shame, and humiliation, was significantly reduced, which explains that 10 years of intervention, especially in the field of public education with the participation of the governmental and private sectors, encompassing the important role of the media, newspapers, social activities of PLWH, voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) centers and positive clubs, have been very prominent. Therefore, with educational interventions, the internal stigma can be reduced initially, which increases self-confidence and self-disclosure in PLWH.

SeyedAhmad SeyedAlinaghi, attained his MD degree from Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS). Currently, he has MPhil, PhD in epidemiology and research fellowship. He is an associate professor at TUMS. He has been working on HIV in the Iranian Research Center for HIV/AIDS for 18 years and he has worked on about 180 research projects, mainly in the field of HIV/AIDS, COVID-19, key populations, mental health, prison health and substance use which has led to the publication of about 450 articles and 19 books. He won Red Ribbon Award in 2016, receiving the formal letter from UNAIDS.