May stigma ba? (Is there stigma?) A qualitative investigation into HIV stigma in the Philippine context 2021

Title

May stigma ba? (Is there stigma?) A qualitative investigation into HIV stigma in the Philippine context 2021

Presenter

Gideon Livingstone Bendicion

Authors

G.L. Bendicion * (1), A.M. Robles (1), A.P.V. Villasanta (1), J. Fontilla (2), I.F. Alquiros (1), T. Balensoy III (1), M.L. Farinas (1), B.I. Mendoza (1), M. Muyargas (3), A.H. Pamoso (1), J.L. Panaligan (1), V. Reyes (1), K.A. Sarmiento (1), J.E. Violago (1), R. Pagtakhan (4), J.O. Corciega (5)

Institutions

(1) Culture and Arts Managers of the Philippines (CAMP) Pag-Ayo, Inc., Research Department, Mandaluyong, Philippines, the, (2) Australian Federation of AIDS Organizations, Sustainability of HIV Services for Key Populations in Asia Program, Bangkok, Thailand, (3) University of the Philippines Visayas, Gender and Development Program, Miagao, Philippines, the, (4) LoveYourself, Inc., Taguig City, Philippines, the, (5) LoveYourself, Inc., Sustainability of HIV Services for Key Populations in Asia Program, Taguig City, Philippines, the

BACKGROUND: HIV stigma is a barrier to HIV awareness and testing for men who have sex with men and trans women. Stigma as a research construct, however, can be limited to understanding the intra-psychological states of individuals and ignore interpersonal processes. This study explores HIV stigma using an interpersonal lens and its impact on talking about and getting tested for HIV.
METHODS: The study conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews of key populations and their parents between August and October 2021. Interviews lasted between 1 and 2 hours. Key population participants consisted of 19 men who have sex with men and 16 trans women. Of these, 19 were ages 18-29, and 16 were 40 years or older; 19 have tested and 16 have never been tested for HIV. Parent participants consisted of 8 fathers and 8 mothers who had at least one child that met key population criteria. Participants represented all macro-geographic regions of the Philippines. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, translated, subjected to thematic analysis, and coded. An analytic model was produced through an iterative collaborative process and validated using coded data.
RESULTS: Data suggest that the burden of HIV stigma in the Philippines should be understood in relation to its intersection with the stigma on LGBT identities. To counteract stigma on their identities, Philippine LGBT persons employ a range of behavioral strategies to enhance their social standing. Under normal circumstances, talking about and getting tested for HIV occur when doing so enhances or does not threaten social standing. Conversely, talking about and getting tested for HIV appear not to occur under normal circumstances when doing so threatens social standing. An exception to this model is emergency situations when social standing as a concern becomes less salient.
CONCLUSIONS: This model can be useful for making sense of the effectiveness of current and future strategies for increasing HIV awareness and uptake of HIV testing in the Philippines. It also points to the value of interventions for counteracting LGBT stigma as a way to alleviate the burden of HIV stigma on men who have sex with men and trans women in the Philippines.

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