Courtesy stigma and self-care practices among rural HIV/AIDS healthcare providers

Stigma by association, or “courtesy stigma,” is defined as public disapproval for associating with a perceived stigmatized group. Using an audience response system (ARS), rural HIV/AIDS healthcare providers (n = 69) were asked about experiences of courtesy stigma and self-care practices for safeguarding their well-being. Qualitative responses were coded and themes identified. Forty-nine percent of respondents reported experiencing courtesy stigma (for example, others assuming they were HIV-positive because of their work). While respondents rated their quality of self-care as either “good” (43.5%) or “excellent” (14.5%), opportunities to increase providers’ capacity to practice quality self-care is strongly encouraged.