Current problems of medical and social aspects of tolerance to HIV-infected people

The article presents the results of a study devoted to the analysis of tolerance, possible manifestations of stigmatization and discrimination against people living with HIV. The subject of the study is the attitude of the population of the city of Chelyabinsk aged 18 to 60 years to people living with HIV and interaction with them. Collection of primary sociological information by anonymous survey of 107 respondents according to the author's questionnaire. It was revealed that 77.2% of respondents know that the main way of HIV transmission is sexual (84.7% effective method of contraception is a condom). The respondents also chose the correct term applicable to HIV-infected people in accordance with the Declaration of Principles of Tolerance — people living with HIV (86%), while 22.8% of respondents noted erroneous transmission routes (kiss, handshake, use of one dish), 15.3% — ineffective HIV contraceptives (combined oral contraceptives, interrupted sexual intercourse act, spermicidal gels, intrauterine device).

It should be noted that the level of stigmatization in society is low, 81.3% of respondents will continue to communicate with a person and 60.7% would maintain a relationship with their partner after learning his positive HIV status. At the same time, there are differences in opinion about the disclosure of HIV status to the employer and the surrounding people, so half of the respondents (49.5%) believe that a person living with HIV should inform the employer about his HIV status.

Discrimination among the surveyed population is at a low level, this is indicated by the opinions of 83.2% of respondents who believe that children with HIV-positive status can attend educational organizations together with other children and 82.2% of respondents disagree with the statement “People living with HIV have no place with me”, for 43.9% attitude towards people, living with HIV, it will be the same regardless of the conditions in which he was infected.

The authors emphasize the importance of developing educational programs aimed at eliminating stigma and creating a tolerant environment for people living with HIV. The results of this study can serve as a basis for the development of a set of measures with people living with HIV and the participation of specialists from the Regional Center for the Prevention and Control of AIDS and Infectious Diseases to increase the level of knowledge about HIV among the population and tolerant attitude towards people living with HIV.

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