Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “STIGMATIZATION”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,639 records · Page 91Linked to original sources
PubMed2002

Leprosy: a problem solved by 2000?

It is now the year 2001, and in many endemic regions leprosy remains a public health problem by any definition. It is clear that defining leprosy purely by prevalence side-steps some of the real issues. There is still much to do to solve the problem of leprosy. Control programmes require better tests for early diagnosis if leprosy is to be reduced much further. Treatment of the infection and of reactions is still far from ideal, whilst an effective vaccine would be valuable in high-risk regions. Research into the true incidence in each endemic area is essential, and control programs of the future will need a more detailed understanding of the transmission of M. leprae to permit new logical interventions. Leprosy remains a devastating disease. Much of the damage that it inflicts is irreversible, and leads to disability and stigmatization. This is perhaps the greatest problem posed. It is easy to dwell on the successes of the elimination campaign, so diverting attention from those populations of 'cured' patients who still suffer from the consequences of infection. Leprosy should be regarded as a problem unsolved so long as patients continue to present with disabilities. WHO has carried out a highly successful campaign in reducing the prevalence of leprosy, and this needs to be acknowledged, but what is happening to the incidence in core endemic areas? Maintaining this success, however, may be an even greater struggle if funding is withdrawn and vertical programmes are absorbed into national health structures. We must take heed of the historian George Santayana, 'those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it'. We should take the example of tuberculosis as a warning of the dangers of ignoring a disease before it has been fully controlled, and strive to continue the leprosy elimination programmes until there are no new cases presenting with disability. The World Health Organisation has shown that leprosy is an eminently treatable disease, and has prepared the ground. The leprosy elimination campaigns truly are 'at a height... ready to decline'. Can it be that this is the chance to take leprosy 'at the flood'? If so, perhaps an extension of the elimination programs beyond the year 2001 would indeed 'lead to fortune'.

Global Health↗
PubMed1976

Some interpersonal consequences of being mentally ill or mentally retarded.

The present study was carried out at an institution for mentally retarded persons where the subjects (college students) were transported. Under the guise of being "normal," mentally ill, or mentally retarded, each of four confederates met three independent groups of subjects. The verbal reports of the subjects did not vary a great deal as a function of condition, but amount of pain inflicted in an experimental task was strikingly different. In the mentally retarded confederate condition, shocks delivered were shorter and less intense than those given in the "normal" or mentally ill confederate conditions. Since subjects had to teach the confederate, they might have been kinder in the mentally retarded confederate condition because less was expected of the learner. Evidence was also found suggesting that the social impact of stigmas depends on the personal characteristics of the stigmatized person.

Attitude↗
PubMed2001

[Etiologic approach in infertile couples in Mahajanga].

In Madagascar, as in other places in the world, infertility is associated with social stigmatism and an underlaying long-term risk for separation of the couple. A 12 months prospective study was carried out in 1999 in the Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Reproductive Health at the University Hospital in Mahajanga in order to collect data related to possible causes of infertility. For the women, serologic tests for Treponema pallidum (syphilis) and Chlamydia trachomatis were performed. And, in addition to sonography and hysterosalpingography, cervico-vaginal smears were obtained as part of the pelvic examination. A semen sample was obtained from each male partner. Of the 37 couples enrolled in the study 35 were classified as primary infertile (n = 9) or secondary infertile (n = 28). The mean age of the women and the men was 30.7 years (ranged 20 to 41 years) and 34.3 years (ranged 24 to 46 years), respectively. Various potential causes of infertility among the women were observed, such as hormonal disturbance (76%), tubal occlusion (76%), genital infection (70%). The figures indicate that there seems to coexist the possibility of multiply causes of infertility. Of 37 semen samples 24 (65%) were found with abnormalities, predominantly of oligospermia type. In 21 couples a possibly cause of infertility was observed in both partners.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

[Development of child mental health services in Lithuania: achievements and obstacles].

In 1990, political, economic and social changes in Lithuania introduced the possibility to develop for the first time in nations's history an effective and modern system of child mental health services. During the period between 1990 and 1995 a new model of services was developed in the Department of Social pediatrics and child psychiatry of Vilnius University. The model included development of child and adolescent psychiatric services, as well as early intervention services for infants and preschool children with developmental disabilities. The emphasis, following recommendations of WHO and existing international standards, was made on deinstitutionalization and development of family-oriented and community-based services, which have been ignored by previous system. In the first half of 90's of 20th century, new training programs for professionals were introduced, more than 50 methods of assessment, treatment and rehabilitation, new for Lithuanian clinical practice, were implemented, and a new model of services, including primary, secondary and tertiary level of prevention, was introduced in demonstration sites. However, during next phase of development, in 1997-2001, serious obstacles for replicating new approaches across the country, have been identified, which threatened successful implementation of the new model of services into everyday clinical practice. Analysis of obstacles, which are blocking development of new approaches in the field of child mental health, is presented in the article. The main obstacles, identified during analysis of socioeconomic context, planning and utilization of resources, running of the system of services and evaluation of outcomes, are as follows: lack of intersectorial cooperation between health, education and social welfare systems; strong tradition of discrimination of psychosocial interventions in funding schemes of health services; societal attitudes, which tend to discriminate and stigmatize marginal groups, including disabled children and dysfunctional families; lack of evidence-based decision making in the process of health care reform and reform of social infrastructure.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2002

[Discussion group upon unemployment. The report of an experience].

The present paper is the outcome of a Discussion Group focused on unemployment. The experience was carried out in an institution of Ituzaingo, Provincia de Buenos Aires. The Group activities were designed to prevent social damage. The Group was designed as a space to contain the participants, generate their reflection and make possible new alternatives to their situation. This paper describes the main psychosocial indicators emerging along the Group process, outlining stigmatization and guilt as dominant representations. The paper highlights the importance of the above mentioned groups regarding social damage recomposition, as well as the elaboration of alternatives to face social problems such as unemployment.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2002

Psychosocial predictors of BRCA counseling and testing decisions among urban African-American women.

Genetic counseling and testing for mutations in XXX (BRCA)1/2 genes that increase breast cancer susceptibility potentially offer a number of benefits (e.g., more informed decision making regarding breast cancer prevention options) but also raise potential problems (e.g., issues of discrimination). However, the literature suggests that African-American women underuse genetics-related services. Therefore, the primary aim of the current study was to investigate predictors of the use of genetic counseling and testing for breast cancer susceptibility in this population. Participants were 76 African-Americans at increased risk for breast cancer attributable to their family history of the disease. Participants were recruited from an urban cancer screening clinic and completed measures assessing sociodemographic information, breast cancer knowledge, breast cancer-specific emotional distress, and perceived benefits of and barriers to BRCA testing. Free BRCA counseling and testing were offered to all interested participants, and measures were completed before counseling sessions. On the basis of their subsequent acceptance or refusal of these services, participants were described as having either: (a) declined BRCA-related genetic counseling (GC-); (b) participated in genetic counseling but refused genetic testing (GC+GT-); or (c) participated in both genetic counseling and testing (GC+GT+). Results revealed that participants who declined counseling had significantly less knowledge of breast cancer genetics than those who accepted both counseling and testing. No differences emerged among the three groups in terms of perceived benefits of testing. However, participants declining counseling demonstrated significantly higher perceived barrier scores compared with those accepting counseling and testing. Specifically, those who did not participate in counseling reported greater anticipation of negative emotional responses to testing and more concern about stigmatization, whereas those who underwent both counseling and testing had significantly lower family-related guilt. Finally, cancer-specific distress was positively associated with participation in counseling, regardless of participation in testing. The current findings underscore the need for refinement of outreach and intervention efforts that both increase awareness of BRCA counseling and testing among African-American women and provide information to those considering these options.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Is beggary a chosen profession among people living in a 'leprosy colony'?

Leprosy is a highly stigmatized disease that apart from the physical ailments and the deformities causes psycho-socio-economic problems to the people affected. As a result of social rejection, leprosy colonies were formed inhabited by the leprosy-affected families. With inadequate socioeconomic support and help, these people often have resorted to beggary as a way to earn their living. This study is an attempt to look into the lives of the leprosy-affected people living in the leprosy colony in Ambala City, Haryana, north-west State of India and who have accepted beggary as their source of income. The psychosocial impact of leprosy and the subjects' attitude towards beggary has been studied. The study comprised 21 families, including, 22 men, 21 women and 40 children. Seventy-one percent of the families came from Southern India. All the men and nine of the women were leprosy-affected. The proportion of people with deformity was 89%. Prior to contracting leprosy, all of the men were employed, mainly in agriculture and physical labour. At present, all are beggars. Of the 20 who were interviewed, 65% of those who beg and 83% of other adults were illiterate. Fifty percent of the children were in need of education. Due to leprosy, the social interaction of 85% of the interviewees was limited to within the colony and of 88% to only other leprosy-affected people. Through their own organized efforts, they raised welfare services and housing for themselves. None of them liked begging to start with but have accepted it as a source of income. If given a chance and support, 80% said they were ready to quit begging. They were concerned about the education of their children. The study highlighted the need to develop alternate avenues of income generation utilizing the existing desires and potential of the inhabitants.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Dehabilitation of leprosy-affected people--a study on leprosy-affected beggars.

Leprosy is one of the most socially stigmatized diseases known today. Social stigma is associated mainly due to the prevalent myths like its hereditary and contagious nature, divine curse along with the physical deformities caused. The affected people not only face physical impairments but also suffer psychosocial repercussions due to the community's attitude. The long-term physical and psychosocial restrictions slowly push the leprosy-affected person out of the society. With lack of social support and self-confidence, some dehabilitated leprosy-affected persons end up as beggars. The present study focuses on the long-term consequences of leprosy. It is based on case studies of leprosy-affected beggars in Delhi. The process of dehabilitation in each case has been studied. It has been found that dehabilitation is a continuous process. The combination of leprosy, physical impairments and social stigma causing further participation restriction, lead to dehabilitation of people affected by leprosy, and ending in a state of beggary for some. There is a need to develop a holistic approach including both prevention of dehabilitation and rehabilitation of those dehabilitated to overcome both the disease and its consequences. Measures to prevent such dehabilitation in future along with the rehabilitation of leprosy-affected beggars have been suggested. Both these measures should take place simultaneously.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

The impact of HIV on tuberculosis control--towards concerted action.

The well-established international control strategy for tuberculosis is based upon passive case-finding of the most infectious cases followed by effective chemotherapy with sufficient support to ensure and record a successful outcome. However, no country with a severe HIV epidemic is successfully controlling tuberculosis. HIV exerts a double blow. Not only must the health service manage a greatly increased number of patients (as many as fourfold higher in many African settings) but each individual patient needs to be managed more effectively if the control programme is to have a similar impact on transmission as it did in the pre-HIV era. In this paper, we discuss some of the effects of increased burden and stigmatization. We consider the potential of preventive therapy to reduce the impact of HIV on tuberculosis control and describe a more integrated approach to both infections that is being piloted in several sites in Southern Africa.

Africa South of the Sahara↗
PubMed2001

Prison admission health screening as a measure of health needs.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the validity of routine prison screening admission data for measuring health needs and planning health services. DESIGN: Retrospective descriptive study of routinely collected admission data. SETTING: The largest Scottish men's prison with an annual throughput of around 20,000 men. SUBJECTS: All adult male (> or = 21 years) prisoners admitted during January 1998. RESULTS: Nine hundred and six men were screened in January 1998. Thirty-eight per cent of men entering prison said they currently or had previously used illegal drugs and 22% of all admissions gave a history of intravenous drug use. Six men (0.7%) reported hepatitis C infection and two (0.2%) reported hepatitis B infection. A history of major mental illness was reported by 10% of all prisoners, 7% of drug users and 15% of problem drinkers. Deliberate self-harm was reported by 10% of all prisoners, 9% of drug users and 17% of problem drinkers. CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of reported substance misuse and its sequelae and mental illness in prisoners. However, mental illness, substance use and some infectious diseases (such as HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C) may be under-reported, possibly because of social stigma or low expectations of treatment in prison. Health screening on admission to prison presents a unique opportunity to identify health needs at an early stage. However, there is a need to improve detection of some stigmatized conditions if individual care and health service planning are to be improved.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Another decade of social scientific work on sex work: a review of research 1990-2000.

The international, psychological and sociological research literature on prostitution from 1990 through 2000 is reviewed. The stage is set by scanning topics and perspectives in earlier writings. Then the research is discussed under the following headings: (a) HIV related research (HIV prevalence studies, factors in condom use, and prevention program evaluation); (b) workers' background and motivational issues (early victimization and connected factors, economic motives and connected factors); (c) work related issues (working routines, risks and stresses, and managing risk, work and identity); (d) research on clients, and (e) issues related to social and legal status. The literature is still much more about sex than it is about work. In addition, although an increasing number of authors have criticized the dominance of a deviance perspective over work perspectives on prostitution, the literature still reveals many features of stigmatization. For instance, the wrongs associated with sex work are all too often attributed to the nature of sex work itself instead of to the stigma attached to it or to specific negative circumstances. Likewise, the association between prostitution and negative features (in particular HIV and early victimization) is overwhelming, despite evidence that, for large groups of sex workers, these issues are of limited relevance. Generally, writers fail to adequately differentiate among types of sex workers. In particular, in relation to issues of health and well-being, differentiation among sex workers on the basis of specific features of their working situation (e.g., contexts, routines, relations, conditions) has hardly been studied and is recommended for the future.

Condoms↗
PubMed2003

Consultation-liaison psychiatry in Korea.

The Korean Psychosomatic Society, our national organization for consultation-liaison (C-L) psychiatry was formed within the Korean Neuropsychiatric Association (KNPA) in 1992. Since then, there has been increasing interest in C-L activities in general hospitals. All psychiatry departments in university teaching hospitals offer C-L experiences as part of the rotation for residents. Recently, there have been increasing research activities in C-L psychiatry. However, there are some current obstacles to further development of C-L psychiatry. No reimbursement for C-L activities is one of the most pressing problems facing C-L psychiatrists. Insufficient staffing at C-L services and stigmatization of mental illness are also problems to be dealt with. In order to resolve those issues, a more organized approach to demonstrate the usefulness of psychiatric C-L activities will be needed.

Education, Medical, Graduate↗
PubMed2002

Stigma in mental illness: attitudes of medical students towards mental illness.

BACKGROUND: Negative attitudes towards people with mental illness can be attributed to stigma. The objective of this study was to determine the attitudes of medical students towards mental illness by comparing those who have had contact with mental patients and those who have not. This study also assesses to what extent knowledge about mental illness can affect the students' attitude. METHODS: A vignette and two dependent measures (social distance scale and dangerousness scale) were used to assess the attitudes of medical students towards mental illness. They comprised of 108 first year and 85 final year medical students in University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur. The first year students didn't have any prior psychiatric training. RESULTS: The final year students who had knowledge and contact (undergone 8 weeks of clinical psychiatric training) were less stigmatizing toward mentally ill patients. There were no significant differences in the attitudes towards mentally ill patient among the first year students (no knowledge) regardless they had previous contact or not. CONCLUSION: Knowledge seems to have the effect in inculcating greater tolerance of mental illness. Contact by itself is not sufficient for attitude changes.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2003

The immediate psychological and occupational impact of the 2003 SARS outbreak in a teaching hospital.

BACKGROUND: The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Toronto, which began on Mar. 7, 2003, resulted in extraordinary public health and infection control measures. We aimed to describe the psychological and occupational impact of this event within a large hospital in the first 4 weeks of the outbreak and the subsequent administrative and mental health response. METHODS: Two principal authors met with core team members and mental health care providers at Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, to compile retrospectively descriptions of the experiences of staff and patients based on informal observation. All authors reviewed and analyzed the descriptions in an iterative process between Apr. 3 and Apr. 13, 2003. RESULTS: In a 4-week period, 19 individuals developed SARS, including 11 health care workers. The hospital's response included establishing a leadership command team and a SARS isolation unit, implementing mental health support interventions for patients and staff, overcoming problems with logistics and communication, and overcoming resistance to directives. Patients with SARS reported fear, loneliness, boredom and anger, and they worried about the effects of quarantine and contagion on family members and friends. They experienced anxiety about fever and the effects of insomnia. Staff were adversely affected by fear of contagion and of infecting family, friends and colleagues. Caring for health care workers as patients and colleagues was emotionally difficult. Uncertainty and stigmatization were prominent themes for both staff and patients. INTERPRETATION: The hospital's response required clear communication, sensitivity to individual responses to stress, collaboration between disciplines, authoritative leadership and provision of relevant support. The emotional and behavioural reactions of patients and staff are understood to be a normal, adaptive response to stress in the face of an overwhelming event.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗
PubMed2003

Nonstigmatizing ways to engage HIV-positive African-American teens in mental health and support services: a commentary.

This commentary illustrates a hospital/adolescent-clinic based model for providing support services and for increasing medical adherence among HIV positive inner city African-American adolescents. This commentary reviews the racial/ethnic disparities in HIV disease among adolescents and describes a successful program model for overcoming stigma. Traditional support groups were rejected by youth with HIV/AIDS. Seven elements common to successful programs were identified. Successful programs built on designs described in the research literature. Focus groups composed of HIV-positive adolescents identified what they wanted and needed. Stigmatizing labels were avoided in naming programs. Practical barriers to access, such as transportation and childcare, were eliminated. Programs were skills oriented, culturally sensitive, and life affirming, focusing on healthy living. HIV-positive inner city African-American youth can be successfully recruited and engaged in hospital based programs. Although these programs were qualitatively evaluated by youth as successful and attrition was low and attendance averaged 50%, rigorous quantitative research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of such programs. We need quantitative research to successfully advocate for government funding. Stigma needs to be addressed openly in public health. Future research is needed to evaluate interventions to overcome the health consequences of stigma on utilization of available medical and mental health services.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

The challenges of genetic tests for human behavior.

OBJECTIVE: To review the potential benefits and adverse effects of genetic tests that may develop, that effectively predict mental illness or variation from the norm on behavior traits. METHOD: A review is offered of the history of genetic-based political policies and racial discrimination. The current status of genetic research in mental disorders is described. Anticipated genetic progress, and derivative tests and limits on their predictive power are considered. RESULTS: There does exist a potential for invidious stigmatization and discrimination, based on genotypes of individuals and allele frequencies in communities, in various transactions such as health care access, employment and education, as well as in more intimate decisions including choice of spouse and decisions to become a parent. CONCLUSIONS: The major uses of valid genetic tests for human behavioral traits will be for development of knowledge on pathophysiology of illness, and for development of new treatment and educational strategies to deal with illness. Some extension of genetic tests into predictions about specific individuals may well occur. Awareness of the potential for discrimination, and a determination to develop culturally sensitive and fair applications of genetic tests, is required to avoid adverse effects on individuals and communities.

Behavior↗
PubMed2003

[Retinoblastoma in monozygotic twins].

Retinoblastoma is one of the most frequent ophthalmological tumours in children. It is an embryonic tumour originating in the retina. It is caused by abnormalities in the RB1 gene and deletions in the region 13q14. The authors present a bilateral non-hereditary retinoblastoma in monozygotic twins, associated with deletion in the region 13q14, stigmatization, psychomotor and somatic retardation.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of obesity on morbidity in children and adolescents.

The rise in the prevalence and severity of pediatric obesity has been accompanied by higher rates of the known correlates of obesity as well as the emergence of new or newly identifiable health conditions. These include the classic cardiovascular risk factors, type 2 diabetes, menstrual abnormalities, sleep-disordered breathing, and psychosocial effects. Although stigmatization of obese children is convincingly documented, the evidence regarding the psychological consequences of child and adolescent obesity is more equivocal. Identification of the full range of health consequences linked to obesity in the pediatric population may help direct resources to its primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention.

Adolescent↗