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Title: Surveillance of discriminatory attitudes toward people living with HIV/AIDS among the general public in Hong Kong from 1994 to 2000. Author: Lau JT, Tsui HY. Journal: Disabil Rehabil; 2003 Dec 16; 25(24):1354-60. PubMed ID: 14660203. Abstract: PURPOSE: This study monitored the level of discriminatory attitudes toward people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) exhibited by the general public in Hong Kong from 1994 to 2000. METHODS: A series of six cross-sectional telephone surveys using an identical method and a structured questionnaire were conducted. A total of 6,795 respondents aged 18 - 50 randomly selected from the general population participated in the study. RESULTS: Over the study period, the level of discriminatory attitudes toward PLWHA exhibited by the public has been improved slightly. For instance, fewer respondents in 2000 (10.6%) than in 1994 (21.8%) agreed that an HIV infected person should move out of the household (chi(2) test for trend, p < 0.001). However, there remained about one third who would avoid a friend infected with HIV (chi(2) test for trend, p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that misconceptions about HIV transmission routes remained strongly associated with the discriminatory attitudes toward PLWHA; other significant factors included exposure to TV Announcement of Public Interest on HIV/AIDS-related issues and perceived chance of HIV infection as a result of having homosexual behaviours. CONCLUSIONS: Though some improvement has been observed, the level of discriminatory attitudes is still high. Sustained education to remove misconceptions about HIV infection is much required.[Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]