Perceptions of community- and family-level injection drug user (IDU)- and HIV-related stigma, disclosure decisions and experiences with layered stigma among HIV-positive IDUs in Vietnam

Abstract

This paper explores how perceived stigma and layered stigma related to injection drug use and being HIV-positive influence the decision to disclose one's HIV status to family and community and experiences with stigma following disclosure among a population of HIV-positive male injection drug users (IDUs) in Thai Nguyen, Vietnam. In qualitative interviews conducted between 2007 and 2008, 25 HIV-positive male IDUs described layered stigma in their community but an absence of layered stigma within their families. These findings suggest the importance of community-level HIV prevention interventions that counter stigma and support families caring for HIV-positive relatives.

Keywords:

• injection drug use
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• layered stigma
• disclosure
• Vietnam

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse 1R01DA022962-01A1 and the National Institute on Drug Abuse T32 DA007292. This publication has been supported in part by a grant from the Fogarty International Center/USNIH; Grant # D43 TW000010-22-AITRP.