Joseph T F Lau1, H Y Tsui. 1. Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. jlau@cuhk.edu.hk
Abstract
PURPOSE: This study monitored the level of discriminatory attitudes toward people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) exhibited by the general public in Hong Kong from 1994 to 2000. METHODS: A series of six cross-sectional telephone surveys using an identical method and a structured questionnaire were conducted. A total of 6,795 respondents aged 18 - 50 randomly selected from the general population participated in the study. RESULTS: Over the study period, the level of discriminatory attitudes toward PLWHA exhibited by the public has been improved slightly. For instance, fewer respondents in 2000 (10.6%) than in 1994 (21.8%) agreed that an HIV infected person should move out of the household (chi(2) test for trend, p < 0.001). However, there remained about one third who would avoid a friend infected with HIV (chi(2) test for trend, p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that misconceptions about HIV transmission routes remained strongly associated with the discriminatory attitudes toward PLWHA; other significant factors included exposure to TV Announcement of Public Interest on HIV/AIDS-related issues and perceived chance of HIV infection as a result of having homosexual behaviours. CONCLUSIONS: Though some improvement has been observed, the level of discriminatory attitudes is still high. Sustained education to remove misconceptions about HIV infection is much required.
PURPOSE: This study monitored the level of discriminatory attitudes toward people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) exhibited by the general public in Hong Kong from 1994 to 2000. METHODS: A series of six cross-sectional telephone surveys using an identical method and a structured questionnaire were conducted. A total of 6,795 respondents aged 18 - 50 randomly selected from the general population participated in the study. RESULTS: Over the study period, the level of discriminatory attitudes toward PLWHA exhibited by the public has been improved slightly. For instance, fewer respondents in 2000 (10.6%) than in 1994 (21.8%) agreed that an HIV infectedperson should move out of the household (chi(2) test for trend, p < 0.001). However, there remained about one third who would avoid a friend infected with HIV (chi(2) test for trend, p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that misconceptions about HIV transmission routes remained strongly associated with the discriminatory attitudes toward PLWHA; other significant factors included exposure to TV Announcement of Public Interest on HIV/AIDS-related issues and perceived chance of HIV infection as a result of having homosexual behaviours. CONCLUSIONS: Though some improvement has been observed, the level of discriminatory attitudes is still high. Sustained education to remove misconceptions about HIV infection is much required.