Buddhism and HIV Stigma in Thailand: An Intervention Study
The following grant was awarded by, is supported by, is administered by or is in partnership with the Fogarty International Center at the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Funding Fogarty Program
Stigma HIV/AIDS
Project Information in NIH RePORTER
Buddhism and HIV Stigma in Thailand: An Intervention Study
Principal Institution
University of California Los Angeles
Principal Investigator(s) (PI)
Chen, Wei-ti
Project Contact Information
Email:
wchen@sonnet.ucla.edu
Year(s) Awarded
2022–2025
Country
Thailand
Project Description
Thailand remains one of the countries with the largest population of people living with HIV (PLWH) in the Asian-Pacific region. In Thailand, as in other middle-income Asian countries, HIV stigma is a pressing health concern. The purpose of this study is to culturally adapt and evaluate the feasibility of a four-week, two-hour, group-based stigma reduction intervention to promote health engagement.
The scientific premise is, Buddhist-Thai culture provides a unique cultural context for Thai PLWH to understand HIV stigma and suffering. Our hypothesis is that Thai PLWH will display lower internal stigma and more care engagement following the intervention. This study addresses the critical need to optimize care engagement through addressing HIV stigma within the local cultural contexts. Our long-term goal is comprehensive, culturally-sensitive stigma reduction intervention for Thai PLWH.
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