Trends in HIV Stigma Experienced by People Living with HIV in the Netherlands: A Comparison of Cross‐Sectional Surveys Over Time

We investigated whether HIV stigma in the Netherlands has changed in recent years. We compared data on stigma settings and manifestations from 2007 (n = 667) and, specifically for the health care sector, 2009 (n = 262), to data acquired in 2019 and 2020 (n = 258). Results showed reductions in stigma from friends, family, acquaintances, at work, in the financial services sector, and in media. However, stigmatizing messages in media remained highly prevalent. Stigma in the LGBTQI+ community, with sexual partners, and while partying remained prevalent and, disconcertingly, relatively unchanged. Stigma in health care increased for a number of stigma manifestations, including physical distance, excessive preventive measures, awkward social interactions, avoidance, and unnecessary referrals. As expected, HIV stigma was positively related to psychological distress, and negatively related to social support and medication adherence. Further, most participants were familiar with U=U and PrEP, but 13.3% questioned the accuracy of U=U. Overall, the findings suggest that stigma reduction efforts should focus on reducing stigma in media, in the LGBTQI+ community and while dating, and in health care. In all of these contexts, a key message is U=U.