POL and Access Intervention to Reduce HIV Stigma Among Service Providers in China

HIV is a serious problem and HIV-related stigma in the medical setting is impeding every step in the battle against HIV in China. The number of annual reported HIV infections in China has increased steadily. The proposed study will be the first randomized controlled intervention trial that specifically targets stigma and access to universal precautions in medical settings, and is implemented at multiple sites in Yunnan and Fujian. Among the two target provinces, Yunnan has the highest number of reported HIV infections in China whereas Fujian is one of the provinces reporting the lowest HIV prevalence rate in China. With the trial implemented in Yunnan and Fujian Provinces simultaneously, we will examine the program's efficacy in two provinces that vary dramatically in HIV prevalence and infection routes. We propose to include two provinces that represent China as a whole, due to the varied HIV rates and infection routes in diverse regions; thus allowing us to disentangle the relations among HIV-related stigma, fear of infection, and HIV prevalence.

Specific Aim 1: To examine whether providers in the intervention hospitals, compared to providers in the standard care condition, will demonstrate positive attitudinal outcomes, including an increase in comfort in working with PLH and a decrease in unrealistic fear of infection at work, prejudicial attitudes, and support of coercive policies.

Specific Aim 2: To examine whether providers in the intervention hospitals, compared to providers in the standard care condition, will demonstrate more positive behavioral outcomes, including an increase in adherence to universal precaution, routine treatment and referrals, confidentiality protection, diffusion of positive messages with co-workers, and a decrease in critical incidents.

Specific Aim 3: To explore whether patients in the intervention hospitals, compared to patients at hospitals in the standard care condition, will report a decreased level of perceived unfair treatment and increased service satisfaction, service utilization, and treatment adherence.

Inclusion criteria

• Service providers: 18 years and older, who work at the county hospital that is participating in the study, including doctors, nurses and lab technicians, and who provide informed consent.
• Hospital administrators: 18 years and older, who work at the county hospital that is participating in the study as administrators, and who provide informed consent.
• Patients: Age 18 and older, who receive treatment from STD, obstetrics/gynecology or HIV care department at the participating hospital, and who provide informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Those who cannot give informed consent (e.g., intoxicated)
• Those who have a permanent disability (e.g., deaf, serious mental illness, mental retardation).
• Anyone who does not meet the inclusion criteria.