Stigma and Discrimination Towards People Living With HIV/AIDS Among Myanmar Migrants in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand

Abstract

HIV remains a significant public health concern among migrants in Thailand, a central migration hub in Southeast Asia. Reducing HIV-related discrimination is a major goal of Thailand’s National Strategy to End AIDS: 2017-2030. The study aimed to examine the level of stigma towards people living with HIV and associated factors among Myanmar migrants. A cross-sectional study was conducted among Myanmar migrants in Chiang Mai province from October to December 2023. A total of 424 migrants attending hospital health screening and community gatherings were recruited by a convenience sampling method. Average age of participants was 29.92 ± 7.9 years, married (56.8%), and primary or lower education (67.5%). 85.1% had discriminatory attitudes toward people living with HIV/AIDS. Significant factors associated with discriminatory attitudes included being of Shan ethnicity (aOR=2.419) and having a low education level (aOR=2.559). HIV preventive strategies should include inclusive health education and accessible health care that are culturally sensitive among migrants.