Health workers' stigmatizing attitudes and practices towards men who have sex with men: Results from a survey conducted in two hospitals in Mumbai India

Background In India culturally held norms around sexuality and gender drive stigma and discrimination towards minority groups like Men who have sex with Men (MSM). HIV prevalence among MSM (4.42%) remains above national HIV prevalence (.031%). Limited evidence on stigmatizing attitudes, practices of health providers suggest high levels of stigma and discrimination toward people living with HIV (PLHIV), but lesser is known about their attitudes towards MSM. The current study explored the stigma among health workers towards PLHIV and MSM in one private and one public hospital. Methods Survey with health workers were conducted in one private (n=95) and one government hospital (n=100). The sample from both the hospitals was drawn using purposive random sampling to represent both medical and paramedical staff. Results About half (51%) health workers in the public hospital felt that homosexuals getting HIV is god's punishment. Around two-third (66%) of medical staff in the public and half (56%) from private hospitals reported that homosexuals should be counseled to change their behavior. Similarly 55% health workers in private hospitals felt that MSM spread HIV. Conclusion The findings indicate that the staff in the private hospital demonstrated greater stigmatizing attitudes and practices towards MSM. The current study underscores the need to build capacity of all hospital staff on stigma reduction and address values, judgments around morality, gender, and sexuality towards MSM as an integral part of capacity building.