Social Determinants of Stigma and Discrimination in Vietnamese Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B

Thieu Van Le, Thuc Thi Minh Vu, Hue Thi Mai, Long Hoang Nguyen, Nu Thi Truong, Chi Linh Hoang, Son Hoang Nguyen, Cuong Tat Nguyen, Binh Cong Nguyen, Tung Hoang Tran, Bach Xuan Tran, Carl A. Latkin, Cyrus S.H. Ho and Roger C.M. Ho
Additional contact information
Thieu Van Le: Viet-Tiep Friendship Hospital, Hai Phong 180000, Vietnam
Thuc Thi Minh Vu: Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Hue Thi Mai: Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Long Hoang Nguyen: Center of Excellence in Behavioral Medicine, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City 70000, Vietnam
Nu Thi Truong: Center of Excellence in Behavioral Medicine, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City 70000, Vietnam
Chi Linh Hoang: Center of Excellence in Behavioral Medicine, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City 70000, Vietnam
Son Hoang Nguyen: Center of Excellence in Evidence-based Medicine, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City 70000, Vietnam
Cuong Tat Nguyen: Institute for Global Health Innovations, Duy Tan University, Da Nang 55000, Vietnam
Binh Cong Nguyen: Viet-Tiep Friendship Hospital, Hai Phong 180000, Vietnam
Tung Hoang Tran: Department of Lower Limb Surgery, Vietnam-Germany Hospital, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Bach Xuan Tran: Institute for Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Carl A. Latkin: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
Cyrus S.H. Ho: Department of Psychological Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore 119074, Singapore
Roger C.M. Ho: Center of Excellence in Behavioral Medicine, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City 70000, Vietnam

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 3, 1-9

Abstract: Vietnam is among the countries with the highest prevalence of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and individuals who suffer from CHB oftentimes perceive high levels of stigma and discrimination. Our study aimed to provide evidence on the prevalence of stigma against hepatitis B virus (HBV), HBV infection, and social determinants of stigma and discrimination in patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Viet-Tiep Hospital, Hai Phong, Vietnam. Stigma and discrimination against CHB in the last month were measured via four dimensions: (1) Blame/Judgment; (2) Shame; (3) Discrimination in different settings; (4) Disclosure of CHB status. Multivariate Logistic and Tobit regressions were used to identify factors associated with CHB-related stigma and discrimination. Among 298 enrolled patients, 4.8% experienced blame/judgement, 10.2% perceived shame, 48.5% felt discriminated in healthcare facilities, and 90.6% disclosed their health status with spouses/partners. Factors associated with lower odds of CHB-related stigma/discrimination included living with spouses/partners, old age, being employed, and the existence of comorbidities was linked with higher odds of stigma. Anti-stigma programs should target those who are younger and have comorbidities. This could be done by community-based interventions which focus on inaccurate beliefs about viral hepatitis. Furthermore, families, healthcare providers, and society should play a crucial role in supporting CHB patients.

Keywords: chronic hepatitis B (CHB); hepatitis B virus (HBV); stigma; discrimination (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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