Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare stigmatization perceptions in cases with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections.

Methods: This study was performed in January 2010-June 2010 with 22, 20 and 20 cases with CHB, CHC and HIV infection, respectively. The cases were interviewed about the number of people they shared their diagnosis, to whom they told their diagnosis for the first time and whether they always informed physicians and medical staff from departments other than the infectious diseases department about their diagnosis. In addition, the cases were asked about how they felt when they talked of their diagnosis during the interview.

Results: The ratio of patients telling about their diagnosis to three and more people was lower in HIV infection group than the group with CHB (p<0.01). The rates of cases informing physicians and medical staff from departments other than the  infectious diseases department about their diagnosis were 20 (91%), 20 (100%) and 11 (55%) in cases with CHB, CHC and HIV infections, respectively. This rate was lower (p<0.01) in the group with HIV infection than the other two groups. The rate of patients disturbed by talking about their diagnosis in the group with HIV infection was higher than the group with CHB (p<0.01).

Conclusions: This study was designed to draw attention to stigmatization in the cases with CHB, CHC and HIV infection. In our study, stigmatization perception was detected more common in the group with HIV infection. Further investigations are required about the variations, reasons, and solutions for stigmatization severity in our society for these infections with similar transmission routes.