15th International AIDS Conference Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. WeOrD1254)

Pulerwitz J, Lippman S, Setubal MS, Chinaglia M, Takae-Ogura C, van Dam J, Diaz J
Horizons Program/PATH, Washington, DC, United States

BACKGROUND: One of the main challenges to the successful implementation of HIV/AIDS prevention, testing, and treatment programs is stigma and discrimination. When attempting to reach mobile groups, such as truckers, issues of stigma are additionally complex, since public perception often is that they are "carriers" of HIV, and they are stigmatized for being truckers as well. To date, there have been limited attempts to directly measure the complex issues related to this "compounded" stigma, and how they affect utilization of services. Quantifying the kind and amount of stigma experienced by truckers is an important precursor to implementing an effective HIV/AIDS program.

METHODS: A systematic sample of 1775 male truck drivers were interviewed at the Brazilian customs stations of Uruguaiana (n=996) and Foz do Iguacu (n=779) from March to July 2003. Participants responded to a series of socio-demographic and behavioral questions, including measures of stigma and discrimination.

RESULTS: Truckers report both fear and express various kinds of stigma, from fears of being fired if they were HIV+ (51%), to discomfort traveling in their truck with PLHA (57%), to self-stigmatizing perceptions that truckers are to blame from spreading HIV (38%), to beliefs that HIV is a punishment for bad behavior (66%). 27% also reported that a person with AIDS should only disclose this fact when they are sick and have no choice. Of the 19 stigma questions, based on a factor analysis, there are 4 different domains within stigma: lack of comfort with casual contact, blame towards those with HIV, fear of stigma from others, and lack of willingness to assist others with HIV.

CONCLUSIONS: Unless perceptions of stigma are addressed, HIV-related programs for mobile populations such as truckers will likely have limited success. The Saude na Estrada (Health on the Road) Project now offers HIV/STI services for truckers, with a stigma-reduction perspective, and the impact of the intervention is currently being evaluated.

040711
WeOrD1254

Copyright © 2004 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.