Stigma Topics: Evaluating Stigma and Discrimination

Successful public health interventions must be based on data to see where the needs are, what responses are best appropriate, and what success would look like. Many health departments face challenges in measuring stigma-focused indicators or how to translate data collected into effective stigma reduction programs. There are several global and domestic tools available to measure stigma-related behavior at community and facility levels. This video focuses on how health departments can use such tools to measure stigma and develop effective stigma reduction programs.

Additional Resources

Persons Living with HIV Stigma Index The Persons Living with HIV Stigma Index uses a standardized questionnaire to gather evidence on stigma and discrimination experienced by people living with and most affected by HIV. By working with persons living with HIV and training them as interviewers, the Stigma Index addresses HIV-related stigma and discrimination, while also advocating on the key barriers and issues perpetuating stigma.

Health Policy Project – Comprehensive Package for Reducing Stigma and Discrimination in Health Facilities The USAID- and PEPFAR-funded Health Policy Project’s Comprehensive Package for Reducing Stigma and Discrimination in Health Facilities includes tools and resources on how to measure, train, and build sustainable systems that respond to stigma and discrimination. The comprehensive package includes a brief, standardized questionnaire for measuring the extent and nature of stigma and discrimination within a health facility, participatory training modules, and tools and resources for ensuring that the facility environment and policies help support and sustain stigma-free HIV services.

Addressing Stigma in Healthcare Facilities: A “Secret Shopper” Intervention​ Using community members as “secret shoppers,” health departments can evaluate the quality of care provided at health service sites and develop specific interventions to ensure culturally responsive care is provided. The resource provides a framework, and tools, for health departments to adapt this innovative approach that engages communities in monitoring and evaluating stigma and discriminatory behaviors.

HIV Stigma Scale The HIV Stigma Scale (HSS) is a 40-item measure of stigma and psychosocial aspects of having HIV. Specifically, the HSS looks at personalized stigma, disclosure concerns, negative self-image and concern with public attitudes toward people with HIV. The tool includes excel files of the HSS indicators, author scoring, and source material articles.