Nearly one in four Hispanic or Latino people with HIV experiences health care discrimination,
It is more often experienced by non-white Hispanic people than by white Hispanic people, according to a study.
Researchers found that the most prevalent stigma among Hispanic or Latino people was concerns about sharing their HIV status
The most reported form of discrimination was feeling that a clinician was not listening to them.
The researchers analyzed data from the Medical Monitoring Project, an annual, cross-sectional study meant to help generate national estimates of the experiences and outcomes of adults with HIV.
They analyzed data from the 2018, 2019 and 2020 study cycles on 2,690 Hispanic or Latino adults with HIV in the United States to assess self-reported stigma and health care discrimination.
Data revealed that 23% experienced overall health care discrimination.
This was experienced more by Hispanic or Latino men (23%) than women (18%), as well as by Black Hispanic people (28%) than by white Hispanic people (21%).
Specifically, however, women experienced health care stigma more often, whereas men were more likely to experience health care discrimination.
The researchers said the study indicates that although stigma and discrimination among this population are related, they “are distinct concepts experienced differently by Hispanic men and women.
Going further, they noted that more Hispanic or Latino men with HIV identify as gay or bisexual, in comparison with women in the study, suggesting sexual orientation may also play a role.
Padilla said future studies should explore these disparities, and that “a one-size-fits-all approach might not be effective in reducing stigma and discrimination in this population.”
“It’s important for clinicians to have conversations about HIV stigma and discrimination, especially as people with HIV note that stigma and discrimination are top concerns,
That addressing these concerns is key for HIV care engagement and treatment.”