[Studies on sexual and childbearing-related stigma against chronic hepatitis B patients in four provinces in China].

Objective: This study intended to explore the current sexual and childbearing stigma, experienced by chronic hepatitis B patients in China, and to develop related preventive strategies. Methods: We used a self-made questionnaire to investigate the sexual and childbearing stigma suffered by chronic hepatitis B patients in four provinces of China. Analysis of variance and chi-square test were used to compare the differences on sexual and childbearing stigma indexes between different demographic variables. Results: We surveyed 797 chronic hepatitis B patients in four provinces. Among them, 4.15% (28/675) of the patients were persuaded not to give birth to children, and 4.67% (10/210) of patients were told to stop pregnancy, by their medical care takers or by members from the family planning institutions. 3.62% (25/690) and 3.48% (24/690) of the patients were not able to enjoy the family planning or reproductive health services as they were stigmatized,suffered, as having HBV infection. Among the male chronic hepatitis B patients, the under 30 years group suffered less sexual and childbearing stigma than those who were aged 31- (P=0.011) or 51 and above year-olds (P=0.009). Among female chronic hepatitis B patients, the 31- year-olds group suffered less sexual and childbearing stigma than those under 30 years group but higher than those aged 41- (P=0.001) or 51 and above ones (P<0.001). Patients with knowledge on route of sexual transmission for HBV, were more likely to practice less related sexual behaviors than those without such knowledge (P=0.022). Patients who were aware or not that condoms could reduce the risk of HBV infection did not show statistically significant difference on sex behaviors (P=0.612). Conclusions: Chronic hepatitis B patients did suffer from sexual and childbearing related stigma, with women aged 31-40 years old the most. It is necessary to advocate on the advantage of condom use for prevention of HBV transmission among pregnant women, both horizontally and vertically. Strategies on protection the rights of patients with hepatitis B should be developed and strengthened.