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Stigma is a primary concern for people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS (PLWHA), and has great impact on their and their family members' health. While previous reviews have largely focused on the public stigma, this systematic review aims to evaluate the impact of HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related self-stigma reduction interventions among PLWHA and their families. A literature search using eight databases found 23 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Five types of intervention approaches were identified: (1) psycho-educational intervention, (2) supportive intervention for treatment adherence (antiretroviral therapy), (3) psychotherapy intervention, (4) narrative intervention, and (5) community participation intervention. Overall, the reviewed articles suggested a general trend of promising effectiveness of these interventions for PLWHA and their family members. Psycho-educational interventions were the main approach. The results highlighted the need for more interventions targeting family members of PLWHA, and mixed-methods intervention studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The legal status of sex workers is correlated with their occupational health and safety. However, there is little consensus on the ideal legal framework for prostitution. Obtaining a good understanding of the opinions of different stakeholders will provide policymakers, health care professionals, and social workers with the necessary information to make decisions on how to protect the health and safety of sex workers and to propose laws on prostitution. This is a review of the literature on the attitudes of different stakeholders towards sex workers. A search of the literature identified a total of 49 studies that could ultimately be included in this review. The studies explored the attitudes towards prostitution among law enforcement officers, professionals in health and social services, clients of sex workers, the general public, and other multiple stakeholders. There was a lack of consensus among these stakeholders on accepting sex workers, and not everyone supported the decriminalization or legalization of prostitution in their countries. Although the debate over the legal status of prostitution seems unlikely to end in the foreseeable future, the findings of this review provide some indications that interventions among different professional groups are needed to improve the health and safety of sex workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]