Search

Although the adverse impacts of health-related stigma are well established, there is growing evidence to suggest that some people reject stigma and become empowered through involvement in education and advocacy. C-een and Heard ( C& H) is a positive speaking programme in Sydney, Australia, using educational presentations by people living with hepatitis C to increase understanding of the illness among health and community workers. This study explored C& H speakers' experiences of and responses to stigma, as well as their motivations to participate in the C& H programme. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine C& H positive speakers. Transcripts were analysed using an inductive thematic approach. Experiences of discrimination were common especially in healthcare and were linked to misinformation and negative attitudes towards injecting drug use. Although discriminatory experiences were distressing, many participants reacted with anger and challenged their stigmatised identity, ultimately leading participants to take part in positive speaking. Speakers reported feeling empowered by participation in the C& H programme and by the support received from audience members, peers and programme organisers. Findings highlight the potential benefits of positive speaking programmes for people with chronic illness in relation to overcoming stigma and experiencing empowerment. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People with a mental illness may be at increased risk of acquiring blood borne viruses, such as hepatitis C. Hepatitis C is highly stigmatized, largely as a result of its association with injecting drug use. Mental illness is also stigmatized and hence people with a mental illness and hepatitis C may face a type of double stigma. This study explored the impact of hepatitis C-related stigma on care and support for people with a mental illness. Cross-sectional surveys were conducted with 117 mental health support workers from a community managed organisation. Surveys assessed support workers' attitudes towards hepatitis C and people who inject, and whether these attitudes influence support workers' level of comfort with and perceived capability in working with clients who have hepatitis C and a mental illness. Surveys also investigated support workers' feelings about recovery in relation to clients with a mental illness who also have hepatitis C. Data indicate that workers’ attitudes towards people with hepatitis C and people who inject drugs were not related to feelings about their own capabilities or to client recovery. Attitudes towards people who inject were related to the level of comfort support workers felt in working in the client's home. This is important for community outreach services as counselling is often home-based. Mental health support workers are in an ideal position to assist clients with hepatitis C. There is a need upskill support workers to enable them to feel more comfortable working with clients with hepatitis C with the ultimate aim of lessening this additional burden of disease on those also coping with a mental illness. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

People with hepatitis C virus (HCV) are a marginalised population that may experience discrimination in everyday contexts, including health-care, due to the association of HCV with injecting drug use. Stigma and discrimination are known to have a range of negative effects on people with HCV, including diminished quality of life and avoidance of health-care. The Hepatitis C Community Clinic is an integrated care service established in 2008 in Christchurch, New Zealand to provide alternative access to health-care that is non-judgemental and supportive. As an integrated care service, the clinic aims to improve health outcomes and quality of life through a holistic approach to health-care for people with HCV and people who inject drugs. This qualitative study forms part of a broader mixed-methods evaluation of the clinic, and aims to assess the role of the clinic in improving health outcomes, knowledge, lifestyle practices and psychosocial functioning of the target population. Interviews were conducted with 24 health professionals and 24 clients of the clinic between April and November 2010. Findings illustrate that the clinic is a novel model of care that is effective in accessing a hard-to-reach and marginalised population in part due to the non-judgemental, caring and supportive environment that engenders trust with clients. Based on participant reports, the clinic assists clients in managing their HCV and other health concerns and in increasing their readiness for HCV treatment. Given the benefits of this community clinic to clients, it is proposed that future research investigate the feasibility and benefits of administering HCV treatment through community-based integrated care networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]