Stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV (PLHIV) can seriously affect their mental well-being and overall health. However, limited research has focused on the most economically active age group. This study sought to measure the extent of HIV-related stigma and examine the factors associated with discriminatory attitudes. This study utilized data from a nationwide survey conducted in 2020. The survey employed a cross-sectional design with a complex sampling strategy to ensure national representativeness. Data on HIV stigma were collected through a self-administered questionnaire due to the sensitive nature of the items. A total of 2,818 individuals aged 15 to 49 years who responded to the HIV stigma module, which assessed six stigma domains, were included in the analysis. IBM SPSS Statistics version 29.0 was used to conduct descriptive analyses and multivariable logistic regression. The prevalence of the global indicator for discriminatory attitudes towards PLHIV was 78.7%. Additionally, the prevalence of each six HIV stigma domains was: experienced stigma (70.3%), fear of HIV infection (64.4%), discrimination (60.6%), anticipated stigma (57.6%), social judgment (44.9%), and perceived stigma (42.2%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified lower education levels (aOR: 2.42, 95% CI 1.85, 3.15) and rural residence (aOR: 1.57, 95% CI 1.20, 2.04) as significant factors associated with discriminatory attitudes towards PLHIV. HIV-related stigma and discrimination remain common among individuals aged 15 to 49 years in Malaysia. Effective and timely action is needed to address these issues and contribute to the global effort to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.
Jusoh et al. (Wed,) studied this question.