Factors Associated with Stigma and Discrimination Behaviors in People Living with HIV among Vocational Students in Chiang Rai Province

Abstract

This cross-sectional analytical research aims to studying the factors associated to toward people living with HIV behavior among vocational school students. The study included 563 students from 8 vocational schools in Chiang Rai province participated in the study. Data were collected through a questionnaire comprising 5 sections. Analysis involved descriptive statistics and correlation analysis between demographic factors (such as, gender, age, educational level, ethnicity/race, family status, parental occupation, and income) and factors based on the PRECEDE framework, including predisposing factors consisting of knowledge about stigma, perception of stigma reduction practices, and attitude towards people living with HIV; enabling factors consisting of receiving information about stigma and discrimination reduction practices, skills in interacting with people living with HIV, and parenting styles; and reinforcing factors consisting of receiving support from peers and family members. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-Square test. Results indicated that 41.7% of the students were male, 58.3% were female, with an average age of 18.2 years (S.D. = 0.46). Personal characteristics associated with stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV included gender, age, gender, age, educational level, and ethnicity/race. Predisposing factors encompassed knowledge about stigma, perception of stigma reduction practices, and attitude towards people living with HIV. Enabling factors comprised receiving information about stigma and discrimination reduction practices, skills in interacting with people living with HIV, and parenting styles. Reinforcing factors included receiving support from family members. These findings can inform the development of health education programs, curriculum design, and public health interventions related to HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections in vocational schools.