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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Amanda Tanner, MPH, Applied Health Science, Indiana University, HPER 116, Bloomington, IN 47405, 8128560352, aetanner@indiana.edu, Michael Reece, PhD, Dept of Applied Health Science, Indiana University-Bloomington, 1025 E. 7th St, HPER 116, Bloomington, IN 47405, and Stephen Karpiak, PhD, AIDS Community Research Initiative of America, 230 W. 38th Street, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10018.

Background: Very little is known about the extent to which those who work professionally as nurses with HIV/AIDS patients are affected by the types of social stigmas that have been well documented as impacting individuals living with HIV (Herek, 1999).

Methods: Using an Internet-based questionnaire, data were collected from to 342 HIV-related nursing professionals in 42 U.S. states. The HIV Provider Stigma Scale was administered to explore the existence and characteristics of the stigma phenomenon among those working in the nursing profession.

Findings: Stigma levels were higher among those whose sexual orientation was reported as homosexual and bisexual and those in a staff nurse position compared to those in a management position (p<0.05). Individuals with the highest levels of stigma also reported decreased levels of social and occupational functioning.

Conclusions: The extent to which the social stigmas associated with HIV and AIDS impact individuals who work professionally in the field could have important implications for the continued sustainability of the workforce, particularly in areas of the world with still developing HIV service infrastructures.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Define the social stigmas associated with the HIV and AIDS in the United States.
• Identify the most common characteristics of nursing professionals in the United States exhibiting higher levels of stigma.
• Discuss the implications of this stigma on the HIV/AIDS nursing workforce and on the delivery of services.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered