Page 278 - ILIAS ATHANASIADIS AKA RO1

Anticipated HIV stigma (i.e., negative attitude toward future stigmatization of

HIV seroconversion by others) was measured as the mean score from a 7

-item Likert-scale ranging from 1 (low) to 4 (high). Generalized linear models
were conducted to examine the factors associated with the anticipated HIV

stigma scores.

Results: Overall, 2006 men completed the survey. Most men completed high
school (1308/2006, 65.2%) and had an annual personal income of ≤9200 USD

(1431/2006, 71.3%).

The mean anticipated HIV stigma score for the participants was 2.98 ± 0.64.

Using social media to seek sexual partners was associated with higher

anticipated HIV stigma

(Adjusted β = 0.11, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.05 to 0.17, p = 0.001).

HIV self-testing (Adjusted β = - 0.07, 95%CI: - 0.13 to - 0.01, p = 0.02) and

having disclosed one's sexual orientation to a healthcare provider

(Adjusted β = - 0.16, 95%CI: - 0.22 to - 0.96, p < 0.001) were associated with

lower anticipated HIV stigma.

Conclusion: Our data suggested that anticipated HIV stigma is still common
among Chinese MSM not living with HIV.

Tailored anti-HIV stigma campaigns on social media are especially needed,

and the promotion of HIVST may be a promising approach.

The influence of stigma on HIV risk behavior

among men who have sex with men in Chennai,

India

Stigma has been shown to increase vulnerability to HIV acquisition in many
settings around the world.

However, limited research has been conducted examining its role among men

who have sex with men (MSM) in India, whose HIV prevalence is far greater
than the general population.