Reducing Stigmatizing Attitudes and Behaviors of Nursing Students in Simulated Clinical Visits of Patients Living With HIV in Iran

What this Trial Is About

This research investigates ways to reduce HIV-related stigma among nursing students in Iran, a country with the highest HIV burden in the Middle East. The study focuses on how online HIV stigma training might decrease negative attitudes and behaviors during simulated clinical visits with patients living with HIV. The trial compares this stigma-focused training to a general online HIV epidemiology training without stigma content, aiming to improve care for people living with HIV in settings where stigma is a major barrier. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups: one receives a 6-hour online HIV stigma training spread over 4 weeks, while the other completes a 6-hour online HIV epidemiology course without stigma content in the same timeframe. Both trainings are delivered online and designed specifically for nursing students to evaluate impact on their attitudes and behaviors toward patients living with HIV. During the study, nursing students will be evaluated up to 4 weeks before and after the training using measures such as stigma scores, behavioral signs of HIV stigma, and empathy scores. A follow-up assessment will occur three months after the intervention to observe longer-term effects. This study involves simulated clinical visits and questionnaires to track changes in attitudes and behaviors, with overall participation lasting several months including training and follow-up.

A Pilot Study of an Online HIV Stigma Training for Nursing Students in Iran