Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41361759›Full record

ArticleAIDS research and therapy2025

Perceived HIV-related stigma: disparities between an Infectious Diseases Unit and other hospital departments.

Lolita Sasset, Vincenzo Scaglione, Claudia Cozzolino, Eleonora Lupia, Sara Mingardo, Anna Ferrari, Davide Leoni, Samuele Gardin, Maria Mazzitelli, Claudio Palmeri and 3 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in AIDS research and therapy, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Lolita SassetInfectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy.
Vincenzo ScaglioneInfectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy. vincenzo.scaglione@aopd.veneto.it.ORCID 0000-0002-2911-2255
Claudia CozzolinoDepartment of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences, and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
Eleonora LupiaDepartment of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy.
Sara MingardoDepartment of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy.
Anna FerrariInfectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy.
Davide LeoniInfectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy.
Samuele GardinInfectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy.
Maria MazzitelliInfectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy.
Claudio PalmeriDepartment of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences, and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
Vincenzo BaldoDepartment of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences, and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
Angela FavaroDepartment of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy.
Annamaria CattelanInfectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundHIV-related stigma harms people living with HIV (PWH), contributing to psychological distress, isolation, poor adherence, and reduced quality of life, especially in healthcare settings. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence and characteristics of HIV-related stigma experienced by PWH in both the Infectious Diseases Unit (IDU) and other hospital departments of a tertiary-care university hospital.

methodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted at a single center between December 2024 and February 2025 among PWH. Participants completed a self-administered 10-item questionnaire assessing perceived stigma in areas such as access to care, quality of care, and inclusion. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with HIV-related stigma.

resultsSix-hundred-thirty-four PWH participated in the study: 466 (73.5%) were male; median age was 56 years (IQR:45-62). Most were Caucasian (570, 89.9%) and 233 (36.8%) heterosexuals. Out of 634 individuals, 253 (39.9%) reported experiencing stigma in healthcare settings at least once. Perceived stigma was significantly lower in the IDU compared to other wards (59 versus 194 cases, p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis revealed that people who inject drugs were associated with an increased risk of stigma perception within the IDU (p = 0.037). Outside the IDU, a shorter duration of HIV infection (< 5 years) was protective against stigma perception (p < 0.001).

conclusionHIV-related stigma remains highly prevalent in hospital settings, particularly outside specialized care. A multifaceted strategy including staff education, anti-stigma training, and institutional policies is urgently needed to promote equitable and respectful care for PWH. Further research should incorporate measures of mental health (e.g., anxiety and depression), as perceived stigma may impact the psychological well-being of people with HIV.

Indexed as

HIV InfectionsHospital DepartmentsSocial StigmaAdultCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPrevalenceQuality of LifeSurveys and QuestionnairesDiscriminationHealth care settingPWHStigma

Identifiers

PMID41361759
PMCPMC12797891

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.