Relationship between social support and social stigma among AIDS patients in Shiraz

Introduction: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is one of the most significant diseases that often carry social stigma due to its' association with addiction and behavioral disorders. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between social support and social stigma among AIDS patients in Shiraz. Material and methods: For this cross-sectional study, hundred patients of Shiraz Behavioral Diseases Counseling Center were selected using regular random method. After data collection with demographic questionnaire, including Wax et al. social support questionnaire and Burger stigma scale, data were analyzed using SPSS 21 version with descriptive statistics (frequency, mean) and analytical statistics (t-test, ANOVA, chi(2), and univariate linear regression). Results: The mean age of participants was 40.4 +/- 9.5. There were 73 (73%) male patients, and fifty-five patients (55%) were married. In correlation between social support and social stigma, relationship was inverse (r = -0.025) but was not statistically significant (p = 0.803). A relationship between disclosed sub-scale and social support was significant (p = 0.039). The results of this study showed that there was a statistically significant relationship between number of children and level of social stigma (p = 0.024). Moreover, a statistically significant relationship between mode of disease transmission and level of social stigma was observed (p = 0.001). Conclusions: This study concluded that there is an inverse relationship between social support and social stigma. By increasing social support, it is possible to reduce perceived social stigma of AIDS patients and increase their self-esteem.