Stigma as a barrier to integrated substance use and HIV care in Vietnam: A qualitative examination of patient and provider perspectives

Trang Nguyen Thu, Thi Thanh Thuy Dinh, Diep Nguyen Bich, Kim Hoffman, Hang Nguyen Thu, Andrew Edsall, Gavin Bart, P. Todd Korthuis, Giang Le Minh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Integration of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and HIV care can increase antiretroviral therapy coverage among people with opioid use disorder (OUD). However, implementation of integrated treatment models remains limited. Stigma towards people with OUD poses a barrier to initiation of, and adherence to, HIV treatment. We sought to understand the extent of stigma towards SUD and HIV among people with OUD in Vietnam, and the effect of stigma on integrated OUD and HIV treatment services utilization. Between 2013 and 2015, we conducted in-depth interviews with 43 patients and 43 providers at 7 methadone clinics and 8 HIV clinics across 4 provinces in Vietnam. We used thematic analysis with a mixed deductive and inductive approach at the semantic level to analyze key topics. Two main themes were identified: (1) Confidentiality concerns about HIV status make patients reluctant to receive integrated care at HIV clinics, given the requirements for daily buprenorphine dosing at HIV clinics. (2) Provider stigma existed mostly toward people with OUD and seemed to center on the belief that substance use causes a deterioration in one’s morals, and was most frequently manifested in the form of providers’ apprehensive approach towards patients. Concerns regarding stigmatization may cause patients to feel reluctant to receive treatment for both OUD and HIV at a single integrated clinic. Interventions to reduce stigma at the clinic and policy levels may thus serve to improve initiation of and adherence to integrated care.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)182-197
Number of pages16
JournalJournal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse
Volume23
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2024

Keywords

  • Stigma
  • Vietnam
  • opioid use disorder
  • substance use disorder

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • Health(social science)

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