Exploring Malaysian physicians' intention to discriminate against gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men patients
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-1-2023
Abstract
Purpose: Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) experience high levels of stigma and discrimination. Minimizing the stigma and discrimination is critical to fostering an inclusive environment for care and optimizing health outcomes. This study aimed at exploring the factors related to physicians' intention to discriminate against MSM in Malaysia.Methods: Physicians (N = 542) from two university-affiliated hospitals in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, completed an online cross-sectional survey between January and March 2016. Measures included sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, intention to discriminate against MSM, and several stigma-related constructs. Bivariate and multivariable linear regressions were used to evaluate independent correlates of discrimination intent against MSM.Results: Physicians' intention to discriminate against MSM was low (mean M] = 1.9, standard deviation SD] = 0.7), but most physicians (70.6%) had a mean score greater than 1.0, indicating that most physicians expressed some degree of intention to discriminate against MSM. A minority of physicians (10.7%), however, had a score of 3.0 or higher, revealing some physicians holding a moderate to high level of discrimination intent toward MSM. The multivariable model demonstrated that physicians who expressed greater prejudice (B = 0.30, p < 0.01), had more MSM-related shame (B = 0.19, p < 0.01), and fear about MSM (B = 0.31, p < 0.01) were more likely to have the intention to discriminate against MSM.Conclusion: Stigma-related constructs including prejudice, MSM-related shame, and fear were independently correlated with increases in a physician's intention to discriminate against MSM. Therefore, implementing interventions to reduce physicians' stigma toward MSM may promote equitable and stigma-free access to health care.
Keywords
Discrimination, Health care, Malaysia, MSM, Physician, Stigma
Divisions
medicinedept
Funders
United States Department of Health & Human Services,National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA,K01 DA038529,R01 DA025943,R21 TW011663,R33 TW011663,R21 AI152927,K01 DA051346,R21 TW011665
Publication Title
LGBT Health
Volume
10
Issue
2
Publisher
Mary Ann Liebert
Publisher Location
140 HUGUENOT STREET, 3RD FL, NEW ROCHELLE, NY 10801 USA