People Living with HIV – Stigma Index 2014

HIV-related stigma and discrimination are recognized both globally and in Viet Nam as primary
barriers to accessing essential prevention, treatment and care services. The People Living with
HIV Stigma Index was designed to address the need for a quantitative recording and analysis
of the different levels and types of stigma and discrimination experienced, as well as changes
in trends and with time, to inform evidence-based policy and programmes. The process of
conducting the Stigma Index is as important as the result: the survey is conducted “by PLHIV,
for PLHIV”.
In Viet Nam the Stigma Index has been conducted by the Viet Nam National Network of People
Living with HIV (VNP+). Following a first round in 2011, a second survey was conducted in 2014
to assess both current stigma and discrimination and any changes since 2011. There was a total of
1,625 respondents. Random sampling of 1,072 PLHIV attending outpatient clinics (OPCs) was
conducted in five provinces (Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, Dien Bien and Hai Phong).
In addition, a purposive (snowball) sampling was undertaken among 553 HIV-positive people
who inject drugs (PWID), HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) and HIV-positive
female sex workers (FSWs) in Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho to ensure that stigma and
discrimination directed towards members of these key at-risk populations was identified and to
measure any double stigma faced by these individuals.