HIV/AIDS-RELATED STIGMA PREVENTION AMONG NURSING STUDENTS

Abstract

Introduction: Studies have found that most people would keep away from people who are identified as HIV-positive. HIV/AIDS-related stigma is presented mainly because of its correlation with the marginalized groups and its infection process, diseases and death. The stigma of HIV/AIDS can cause some negative effects for people living with HIV/AIDS; discrimination, loss of jobs, violence, particularly in health care setting which can cause a major problem to the delivery of care even by the health workers, especially nurses. Nursing students would become practitioner nurse who would face and service people living with HIV/AIDS in the future, it would be very essential during their training in the college to prepare them to not discriminate and stigmatize the patients with HIV/AIDS. The purpose of this study was to review the potential interventions that have been applied for nursing students to prevent them in stigmatizing people with HIV/AIDS in caring context. Method: A literature review was conducted, searched through databases include MEDLINE, PubMed, and ProQuest from 2005-2016 based on this concept. Results: Four interventions were identified effectively prevent and reduce HIV/AIDS-related stigma among nursing students; combined program of knowledge and contact with PHA (knowledge-contact), brief stigma-reduction curriculum, body mapping as an educational tool, and team awareness seminar model. Discussion: Although several studies verified intervention in preventing HIV/AIDS-related stigma effectively, it is still needed to keep on searching and examining other possible interventions in different setting particularly in ASEAN countries.