Stigmatization and Social Support of Pregnant Women With HIV or Syphilis in Eastern China

A Mixed-Method Study

Bibliographic Data

ID22067282
AuthorsXiaohui Zhang (0000-0001-7779-3000, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University), Xiaoyan Wang (0000-0001-5323-4685, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University), Hong Wang (0000-0003-2405-7311, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University), Xinmei He (Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University), Xinyu Wang (0009-0005-8004-6336, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, corresponding author)
Year2022
Volume10
Pages764203-764203
Publication date2022-03-11
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2022.764203
PMID35359793
OpenAlexW4220727165
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited31

Background Stigmatization and poor social support are challenges faced by individuals living with HIV or sexually transmitted disease, which can have a profound negative impact on their healthcare. Mother-to-child transmission of either HIV or syphilis can lead to adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate stigmatization and social support of pregnant women with HIV or syphilis in eastern China. Methods This was an explanatory sequential mixed-method study conducted in Zhejiang province, China in 2019. Stigmatization, social support, and the associated factors toward HIV or syphilis were evaluated using questionnaires. The social support rating scale was used to evaluate social support, where a score <25% was defined as poor social support. A logistic regression model was used to explore the association between stigmatization and poor social support. Results A total of 448 women (HIV positive, N = 93; syphilis, N = 355) were recruited in this study. Higher stigmatization was observed in pregnant women with HIV compared to those with syphilis (53.76% vs. 24.36%, p < 0.001), and poorer social support was observed in women with HIV compared with those with syphilis (40.86% vs. 19.86%, p < 0.001), with significant distributions of the total social support scores (Z = −1.976, p = 0.048) and scores on objectivity (Z = −2.036, p = 0.042) and subjectivity (Z = −2.500, p = 0.012). Similar social support among HIV or syphilis pregnant women was observed in medical healthcare facilities. In multivariable logistic model analysis, stigmatization (OR adj = 2.927; 95%CI, 1.714–4.996; p < 0.001) and ethnic minority (OR adj = 2.373; 95%CI, 1.113–5.056; p = 0.025) were negatively associated with social support. Interestingly, employment status was associated with improved social support (OR adj = 0.345; 95%CI, 0.180–0.662; p = 0.001). Conclusion Stigmatization among pregnant women with HIV or syphilis remains high. We demonstrated that stigmatization was a significant predictor of low social support in pregnant women with HIV or syphilis. The support shown in medical facilities was similar toward pregnant women with HIV or syphilis. Implementation of stigmatization eradication and social support strategies targeting pregnant women with HIV or syphilis may therefore improve the dual elimination of mother-to-child transmission service

Family medicine · Logistic regression · Social support · Sociology · Syphilis · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Clinical Psychology · Demography · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Psychology · Reproductive tract infections research · Social Psychology · Internal Medicine