Ruth M H Peters
Biographic Data
| ID | 326136 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Ruth M H Peters |
| GIVEN NAMES | Ruth M H |
| FAMILY NAME | Peters |
| SIGNATURE | PETERS R M H |
| AFFILIATIONS | Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-7842-3121 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 26 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 20 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 26 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2012 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 3 |
Cultural Mechanisms of Leprosy-Related Stigma
Leprosy-related stigma in Nepal adversely affects socioeconomic and health outcomes. The cultural shaping of stigma is often overlooked in stigma (reduction) research. Therefore, this study aimed to (i) identify cultural capabilities in daily life that “matter most” for men and women; (ii) extend and corroborate perspectives and experiences of leprosy-related stigma; and (iii) explore how “what matters most” (WMM) intensifies or protects against …
‘ Stigma is a tough beast… we need all the allies’
In line with global efforts to reduce health-related stigma to 'zero' by 2030, researchers propose integrating disease-specific stigma reduction programs into a united approach. This study explored civil society organisations' (CSOs) perspectives on using an integrated approach across diverse health conditions to mitigate stigma and its associated implications. A qualitative methodology was employed, involving 15 in-depth interviews and one focus…
Gender-based violence policies and practices in humanitarian settings
Gender-based violence (GBV) is a major public health issue, further intensified in humanitarian crises. In Ethiopia’s northern conflict (2021–ongoing), the scale of GBV underscores the urgent need for context-sensitive policy and service delivery. We conducted a policy analysis of national GBV-related policies within the context of the northern Ethiopia conflict. This was complemented by 9 focus group discussions with relevant stakeholders, i.e.,…
Voices from the margins
Development, validation and reliability of knowledge, attitudes and practice questionnaire for people affected by leprosy reactions
Leprosy reactions occur in 20-50% of people affected by leprosy. Previous studies have shown that lack of awareness and understanding of leprosy reactions among affected individuals and healthcare workers. This study aims to design and validate a knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) questionnaire to assess understanding of leprosy reactions among leprosy-affected individuals. This study employed a sequential exploratory design in three phase…
Lessons From the Past, Hope for the Future
The Sungai Buloh Leprosarium in Malaysia, established in 1930, provided relief for many individuals with leprosy, yet their personal narratives remain largely untold. This study explored the lived experiences of older individuals affected by leprosy at the Leprosarium, focusing on their concerns, needs, and challenges. By examining the historical context and key themes from interviews with leprosy-affected participants, the study aimed to enhance…
Overlap and differences between internalised stigma and depression
Two common consequences among persons with a physical health condition are internalised stigma associated with the physical illness and depression. Increased awareness and knowledge of both concepts might help professionals to better diagnose and deploy interventions that best suit the needs of people who experience these phenomena. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate to what extent and how internalised stigma and depression overlap. A Del…
Unveiling lives
Leprosy, though curable, continues to present physical and psychosocial challenges for those affected. This study explored how individuals affected by leprosy in Malaysia navigated daily life, societal expectations, and personal challenges through the walk-and-talk technique, a participant-led qualitative approach that fostered spontaneous storytelling and reflexivity. By guiding researchers through their environments, participants shaped the nar…
Co-developing strategies for leprosy management in Malaysia
Despite Malaysia's low leprosy prevalence, new cases continue to emerge in rural and Indigenous communities. National strategies often prioritise elimination and surveillance, while overlooking the needs and challenges of individuals affected by leprosy and those managing their care. This study employed a transdisciplinary research approach, guided by the Dialogue Model, to co-develop context-specific strategies to improve the lives of those affe…
What matters most in Cirebon, Indonesia
Individuals with stigmatised health conditions face adverse attitudes, social exclusion and discrimination, stemming from preconceived notions about the condition and its associated symptoms or links to disability. Culture plays a role in shaping stigma manifestations. By employing the 'what matters most' framework, this study sought to capture perspectives of men and women living with leprosy, lymphatic filariasis or depressive disorder, and of …
Interdisciplinary perspectives on ‘what matters most’ in the cultural shaping of health-related stigma in Indonesia
Health-related stigma plays a significant role in the burden of various health conditions such as neglected tropical diseases and mental illnesses, and undermines successful health outcomes. Stigmatised individuals can face lifelong socioeconomic consequences because of their condition. It is broadly recognised that culturally salient factors interact with the way stigma is expressed in different local contexts. This study aimed to capture cultur…
Social contact as a strategy to reduce stigma in low- and middle-income countries
Social contact (SC) has been identified as a promising strategy for stigma reduction. Different types of SC exist. Various scholars defined positive factors to strengthen SC. This study aims to investigate the application and effectiveness of SC as a strategy to reduce stigmatisation across stigmas, settings and populations in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We specifically examine the use of positive factors. A systematic review was co…
Measuring health-related stigma
Despite the advances in stigma research, measuring health-related stigma continues to be challenging and knowledge gaps remain. This study gained insight into challenges and research priorities related to the assessment of health-related stigma. Interviews were conducted with 14 stigma researchers, followed by a survey that was completed by 36 respondents. The findings showed a diverse range of research priorities. Among the top ranked priorities…
An act of agency
The contact strategy has proven to be effective in reducing stigma in relation a variety of disabilities and health-related conditions. This strategy requires people to be willing to present on their condition. This study explored what the considerations are of ‘spokespersons’ to do so. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted. Informants (13) expressed how they felt about presenting, that it gave them the opportunity to develop themsel…
Assessing stigma in low- and middle-income countries
How do Positive Deviants Overcome Health-Related Stigma? An Exploration of Development of Positive Deviance Among People With Stigmatized Health Conditions in Indonesia
A constructivist grounded theory approach was used to understand how some people living with stigmatized health conditions develop positive deviance to overcome stigma. We examined interviews from 13 identified positive deviants living with four different stigmatized health conditions (HIV, leprosy, schizophrenia, and diabetes) in Indonesia. Positive deviance develops in the form of psychological empowerment through improvement of self-belief and…
Reducing albinism related stigma in Tanzania
Reducing stigma is key to improving the wellbeing of people with albinism in Tanzania. This study aimed to obtain more insight into the effects of two radio interventions with regard to albinism-related stigma: a radio drama and a radio interview. Assessment of the radio interventions was based on two attitude measurement instruments (The Albinism Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue Community Stigma Scale and the Albinism Social Distance Scale)…
Assessing the prospect of a common health-related stigma reduction response
This study explored the possibility of a common health-related stigma reduction intervention among people living with HIV, leprosy, schizophrenia and diabetes in Indonesia by assessing their perspectives towards others with the same (within group) and different health conditions (across groups), and willingness to participate in such a program. This mixed-methods study was conducted in West Java, Indonesia between March and June 2018. Eighty part…
Intersectionality and health-related stigma
This study uncovered how the experience of health-related stigma intersects with other oppressions originating from the various social inequalities in an individual's life. The findings highlight the importance of acknowledging and understanding the multi-dimensional aspect of lives of people living with stigmatized health conditions, and warrant integrated multi-level and cross-cutting stigma reduction interventions to address the intersectional…
Using visual vignettes to explore sensitive topics
This study is one of the first to explore the use of (drawn) visual vignettes in qualitative research in Africa. The vignette method was used to discuss the sensitive topic of people’s attitudes towards people with albinism in Tanzania among high school students. Focus was on two key questions: (i) To what extent was the vignette method implemented as intended?; (ii) Has the vignette method achieved its goal?. This research note discusses the eff…
Assessing the Impact of the Twin Track Socio-Economic Intervention on Reducing Leprosy-Related Stigma in Cirebon District, Indonesia
The consequences of leprosy go beyond the physical, social and psychological, as leprosy can drive persons affected and their families into poverty, stigmatization and disability. This paper describes the impact of a socio-economic development (SED) intervention that uses a twin-track approach (two micro-credit models) to reduce leprosy-related stigma in Cirebon District, Indonesia. A randomized-controlled mixed-methods study design was used to t…
People like me don't make things like that’
The Stigma Assessment and Reduction of Impact project aims to assess the effectiveness of stigma-reduction interventions in the field of leprosy. Participatory video seemed to be a promising approach to reducing stigma among stigmatized individuals (in this study the video makers) and the stigmatisers (video audience). This study focuses on the video makers and seeks to assess the impact on them of making a participatory video and to increase und…
Enhancing Community-Based Participatory Research Partnerships Through Appreciative Inquiry
The AI process helped the partners recommit to collaborate with each other, renewed their excitement about working together, and assisted with reclarification of their roles to inform future collaborations
Learning from a leprosy project in Indonesia
International attention for disability recognises that it plays an important role in persistent poverty. Leprosy can cause preventable disability. Stigma associated with leprosy often has greater implications for people affected than physical impairments. The Stigma Assessment and Reduction of Impact (SARI) project in Indonesia employs an action research methodology to develop stigma reduction interventions. By exploring the different mindsets of…
A Community-Based Participatory Research Study of HIV and HPV Vulnerabilities and Prevention in Two Pacific Islander Communities
We describe ethical issues that emerged during a one-year CBPR study of HIV and human papillomavirus (HPV) vulnerabilities and prevention in two Pacific Islander (PI) communities, and the collaborative solutions to these challenges reached by academic and community partners. In our project case study analysis, we found that ethical tensions were linked mainly to issues of mutual trust and credibility in PI communities; cultural taboos associated …
A Community-Based Participatory Research Study of HIV and HPV Vulnerabilities and Prevention in Two Pacific Islander Communities
We describe ethical issues that emerged during a one-year CBPR study of HIV and human papillomavirus (HPV) vulnerabilities and prevention in two Pacific Islander (PI) communities, and the collaborative solutions to these challenges reached by academic and community partners. In our project case study analysis, we found that ethical tensions were linked mainly to issues of mutual trust and credibility in PI communities; cultural taboos associated …
Reducing albinism related stigma in Tanzania
Reducing stigma is key to improving the wellbeing of people with albinism in Tanzania. This study aimed to obtain more insight into the effects of two radio interventions with regard to albinism-related stigma: a radio drama and a radio interview. Assessment of the radio interventions was based on two attitude measurement instruments (The Albinism Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue Community Stigma Scale and the Albinism Social Distance Scale)…
Using visual vignettes to explore sensitive topics
This study is one of the first to explore the use of (drawn) visual vignettes in qualitative research in Africa. The vignette method was used to discuss the sensitive topic of people’s attitudes towards people with albinism in Tanzania among high school students. Focus was on two key questions: (i) To what extent was the vignette method implemented as intended?; (ii) Has the vignette method achieved its goal?. This research note discusses the eff…
Contextualization of HIV and HPV risk and prevention among Pacific Islander young adults in Southern California
How do Positive Deviants Overcome Health-Related Stigma? An Exploration of Development of Positive Deviance Among People With Stigmatized Health Conditions in Indonesia
A constructivist grounded theory approach was used to understand how some people living with stigmatized health conditions develop positive deviance to overcome stigma. We examined interviews from 13 identified positive deviants living with four different stigmatized health conditions (HIV, leprosy, schizophrenia, and diabetes) in Indonesia. Positive deviance develops in the form of psychological empowerment through improvement of self-belief and…
Enhancing Community-Based Participatory Research Partnerships Through Appreciative Inquiry
The AI process helped the partners recommit to collaborate with each other, renewed their excitement about working together, and assisted with reclarification of their roles to inform future collaborations
An act of agency
The contact strategy has proven to be effective in reducing stigma in relation a variety of disabilities and health-related conditions. This strategy requires people to be willing to present on their condition. This study explored what the considerations are of ‘spokespersons’ to do so. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted. Informants (13) expressed how they felt about presenting, that it gave them the opportunity to develop themsel…
Contextualization of HIV and HPV risk and prevention among Pacific Islander young adults in Southern California
A Community-Based Participatory Research Study of HIV and HPV Vulnerabilities and Prevention in Two Pacific Islander Communities
We describe ethical issues that emerged during a one-year CBPR study of HIV and human papillomavirus (HPV) vulnerabilities and prevention in two Pacific Islander (PI) communities, and the collaborative solutions to these challenges reached by academic and community partners. In our project case study analysis, we found that ethical tensions were linked mainly to issues of mutual trust and credibility in PI communities; cultural taboos associated …
Enhancing Community-Based Participatory Research Partnerships Through Appreciative Inquiry
The AI process helped the partners recommit to collaborate with each other, renewed their excitement about working together, and assisted with reclarification of their roles to inform future collaborations
Learning from a leprosy project in Indonesia
International attention for disability recognises that it plays an important role in persistent poverty. Leprosy can cause preventable disability. Stigma associated with leprosy often has greater implications for people affected than physical impairments. The Stigma Assessment and Reduction of Impact (SARI) project in Indonesia employs an action research methodology to develop stigma reduction interventions. By exploring the different mindsets of…
People like me don't make things like that’
The Stigma Assessment and Reduction of Impact project aims to assess the effectiveness of stigma-reduction interventions in the field of leprosy. Participatory video seemed to be a promising approach to reducing stigma among stigmatized individuals (in this study the video makers) and the stigmatisers (video audience). This study focuses on the video makers and seeks to assess the impact on them of making a participatory video and to increase und…
Assessing the Impact of the Twin Track Socio-Economic Intervention on Reducing Leprosy-Related Stigma in Cirebon District, Indonesia
The consequences of leprosy go beyond the physical, social and psychological, as leprosy can drive persons affected and their families into poverty, stigmatization and disability. This paper describes the impact of a socio-economic development (SED) intervention that uses a twin-track approach (two micro-credit models) to reduce leprosy-related stigma in Cirebon District, Indonesia. A randomized-controlled mixed-methods study design was used to t…
Assessing the prospect of a common health-related stigma reduction response
This study explored the possibility of a common health-related stigma reduction intervention among people living with HIV, leprosy, schizophrenia and diabetes in Indonesia by assessing their perspectives towards others with the same (within group) and different health conditions (across groups), and willingness to participate in such a program. This mixed-methods study was conducted in West Java, Indonesia between March and June 2018. Eighty part…
Intersectionality and health-related stigma
This study uncovered how the experience of health-related stigma intersects with other oppressions originating from the various social inequalities in an individual's life. The findings highlight the importance of acknowledging and understanding the multi-dimensional aspect of lives of people living with stigmatized health conditions, and warrant integrated multi-level and cross-cutting stigma reduction interventions to address the intersectional…
Using visual vignettes to explore sensitive topics
This study is one of the first to explore the use of (drawn) visual vignettes in qualitative research in Africa. The vignette method was used to discuss the sensitive topic of people’s attitudes towards people with albinism in Tanzania among high school students. Focus was on two key questions: (i) To what extent was the vignette method implemented as intended?; (ii) Has the vignette method achieved its goal?. This research note discusses the eff…
Reducing albinism related stigma in Tanzania
Reducing stigma is key to improving the wellbeing of people with albinism in Tanzania. This study aimed to obtain more insight into the effects of two radio interventions with regard to albinism-related stigma: a radio drama and a radio interview. Assessment of the radio interventions was based on two attitude measurement instruments (The Albinism Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue Community Stigma Scale and the Albinism Social Distance Scale)…
Assessing stigma in low- and middle-income countries
How do Positive Deviants Overcome Health-Related Stigma? An Exploration of Development of Positive Deviance Among People With Stigmatized Health Conditions in Indonesia
A constructivist grounded theory approach was used to understand how some people living with stigmatized health conditions develop positive deviance to overcome stigma. We examined interviews from 13 identified positive deviants living with four different stigmatized health conditions (HIV, leprosy, schizophrenia, and diabetes) in Indonesia. Positive deviance develops in the form of psychological empowerment through improvement of self-belief and…
Measuring health-related stigma
Despite the advances in stigma research, measuring health-related stigma continues to be challenging and knowledge gaps remain. This study gained insight into challenges and research priorities related to the assessment of health-related stigma. Interviews were conducted with 14 stigma researchers, followed by a survey that was completed by 36 respondents. The findings showed a diverse range of research priorities. Among the top ranked priorities…
An act of agency
The contact strategy has proven to be effective in reducing stigma in relation a variety of disabilities and health-related conditions. This strategy requires people to be willing to present on their condition. This study explored what the considerations are of ‘spokespersons’ to do so. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted. Informants (13) expressed how they felt about presenting, that it gave them the opportunity to develop themsel…
Interdisciplinary perspectives on ‘what matters most’ in the cultural shaping of health-related stigma in Indonesia
Health-related stigma plays a significant role in the burden of various health conditions such as neglected tropical diseases and mental illnesses, and undermines successful health outcomes. Stigmatised individuals can face lifelong socioeconomic consequences because of their condition. It is broadly recognised that culturally salient factors interact with the way stigma is expressed in different local contexts. This study aimed to capture cultur…
Social contact as a strategy to reduce stigma in low- and middle-income countries
Social contact (SC) has been identified as a promising strategy for stigma reduction. Different types of SC exist. Various scholars defined positive factors to strengthen SC. This study aims to investigate the application and effectiveness of SC as a strategy to reduce stigmatisation across stigmas, settings and populations in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We specifically examine the use of positive factors. A systematic review was co…
Voices from the margins
Development, validation and reliability of knowledge, attitudes and practice questionnaire for people affected by leprosy reactions
Leprosy reactions occur in 20-50% of people affected by leprosy. Previous studies have shown that lack of awareness and understanding of leprosy reactions among affected individuals and healthcare workers. This study aims to design and validate a knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) questionnaire to assess understanding of leprosy reactions among leprosy-affected individuals. This study employed a sequential exploratory design in three phase…
Lessons From the Past, Hope for the Future
The Sungai Buloh Leprosarium in Malaysia, established in 1930, provided relief for many individuals with leprosy, yet their personal narratives remain largely untold. This study explored the lived experiences of older individuals affected by leprosy at the Leprosarium, focusing on their concerns, needs, and challenges. By examining the historical context and key themes from interviews with leprosy-affected participants, the study aimed to enhance…
Overlap and differences between internalised stigma and depression
Two common consequences among persons with a physical health condition are internalised stigma associated with the physical illness and depression. Increased awareness and knowledge of both concepts might help professionals to better diagnose and deploy interventions that best suit the needs of people who experience these phenomena. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate to what extent and how internalised stigma and depression overlap. A Del…
Unveiling lives
Leprosy, though curable, continues to present physical and psychosocial challenges for those affected. This study explored how individuals affected by leprosy in Malaysia navigated daily life, societal expectations, and personal challenges through the walk-and-talk technique, a participant-led qualitative approach that fostered spontaneous storytelling and reflexivity. By guiding researchers through their environments, participants shaped the nar…
Co-developing strategies for leprosy management in Malaysia
Despite Malaysia's low leprosy prevalence, new cases continue to emerge in rural and Indigenous communities. National strategies often prioritise elimination and surveillance, while overlooking the needs and challenges of individuals affected by leprosy and those managing their care. This study employed a transdisciplinary research approach, guided by the Dialogue Model, to co-develop context-specific strategies to improve the lives of those affe…
What matters most in Cirebon, Indonesia
Individuals with stigmatised health conditions face adverse attitudes, social exclusion and discrimination, stemming from preconceived notions about the condition and its associated symptoms or links to disability. Culture plays a role in shaping stigma manifestations. By employing the 'what matters most' framework, this study sought to capture perspectives of men and women living with leprosy, lymphatic filariasis or depressive disorder, and of …
Cultural Mechanisms of Leprosy-Related Stigma
Leprosy-related stigma in Nepal adversely affects socioeconomic and health outcomes. The cultural shaping of stigma is often overlooked in stigma (reduction) research. Therefore, this study aimed to (i) identify cultural capabilities in daily life that “matter most” for men and women; (ii) extend and corroborate perspectives and experiences of leprosy-related stigma; and (iii) explore how “what matters most” (WMM) intensifies or protects against …
‘ Stigma is a tough beast… we need all the allies’
In line with global efforts to reduce health-related stigma to 'zero' by 2030, researchers propose integrating disease-specific stigma reduction programs into a united approach. This study explored civil society organisations' (CSOs) perspectives on using an integrated approach across diverse health conditions to mitigate stigma and its associated implications. A qualitative methodology was employed, involving 15 in-depth interviews and one focus…
Psychology (17 works) · Medicine (14 works) · Sociology (14 works) · Psychiatry (12 works) · Qualitative research (10 works) · Focus group (9 works) · Political science (9 works) · Stigma (botany (9 works) · Family medicine (8 works) · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions (8 works)