StigmaScope
Explore Stigma in the U.S.
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Washington

Types of Stigma Interventions

The following stigma-related interventions were conducted in this state.

integrating ENGagement and Adherence Goals upon Entry (iENGAGE) (intervention stigma outcomes)


Study & Intervention Summary

The iENGAGE intervention is designed to help individuals newly entering HIV care adjust to living with HIV and improve treatment adherence and viral suppression. It consists of four face-to-face sessions over 48 weeks, tailored to improve information, motivation, and behavioral skills. The sessions include education on HIV care, skills building, and addressing barriers to treatment adherence, including HIV-related stigma. The intervention aims to reduce internalized HIV-related stigma and is evaluated in a randomized controlled trial, with a focus on how depressive symptoms and coping styles moderate its effects.


Stigma Type Addressed
Internalized
Study Population - Recipients
General (PLHIV)
Intervention Level
Individual - Intrapersonal (Self)
Intervention Setting Addressed
Individual
Article Link
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8075078/

integrating ENGagement and Adherence Goals upon Entry (iENGAGE) (stigma reduction impact on HIV and mental health outcomes)


Study & Intervention Summary

The iENGAGE intervention is designed to help individuals newly entering HIV care adjust to living with HIV and improve treatment adherence and viral suppression. It consists of four face-to-face sessions over 48 weeks, tailored to improve information, motivation, and behavioral skills. The sessions include education on HIV care, skills building, and addressing barriers to treatment adherence, including HIV-related stigma. The intervention aims to reduce internalized HIV-related stigma and is evaluated in a randomized controlled trial, with a focus on how depressive symptoms and coping styles moderate its effects.


Stigma Type Addressed
Internalized
Study Population - Recipients
General (PLHIV)
Intervention Level
Individual - Intrapersonal (Self)
Intervention Setting Addressed
Individual
Article Link
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7698993/

UNITY (pilot intervention time)


Study & Intervention Summary

The intervention aimed to reduce internalized stigma among African American women living with HIV by adapting the International Center for Research on Women's HIV Stigma Toolkit. It was conducted as a workshop over two afternoons, led by an African American woman living with HIV, and included discussions, role-playing, and video triggers to teach coping mechanisms. The goal was to test feasibility and preliminary effectiveness in reducing internalized stigma.


Stigma Type Addressed
Internalized, Enacted
Study Population - Recipients
General (PLHIV)
Intervention Level
Individual - Intrapersonal (Self), Interpersonal (Family/Friends)
Intervention Setting Addressed
Individual
Article Link
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3462391/

Structural Stigma

HIV CRIMINALIZATION LAWS

yes
As of 2025, Yes: Washington has a HIV criminalization law and sentencing enhancements or sex offender registration (or both) or HIV criminalization law only

HATE CRIME DATA COLLECTION LAW

yes
As of 2025, Yes: Washington requires hate crime data collection

HATE CRIMES BY YEAR

Number of Hate Crimes
0
500
550
600
650
700
651
590
623
2021
2022
2023
Years
Data view:
Individual Item
Proportion

Have you ever felt that the police refused to protect you because you have sex with men?

10%

Have you ever felt scared to be in public places because you have sex with men?

44%

Have you ever been verbally harassed and felt it was because you have sex with men?

50%

Has someone ever physically hurt you (pushed, shoved, slapped, hit, kicked, choked or otherwise physically hurt you), and do you believe any of these experiences of physical violence was/were related to the fact that you have sex with men?

39%

Have you ever been forced to have sex when you did not want to (by forced, we mean physically forced or coerced to have sex, or penetrated with an object), and do you believe any of these experiences of sexual violence were related to the fact that you have sex with men?

30%
Individual Item
Proportion

Have you ever felt excluded from family activities because you have sex with men?

35%

Have you ever felt that family members have made discriminatory remarks or gossiped about you because you have sex with men?

49%
Individual Item
Proportion

Have you ever felt afraid to go to health care services because you worry someone may treat you poorly because you have sex with men?

27%

Have you ever avoided going to health care services because you worry someone may treat you poorly because you have sex with men?

20%
10%

Have you ever felt that the police refused to protect you because you have sex with men?

43.6%

Have you ever felt scared to be in public places because you have sex with men?

50.2%

Have you ever been verbally harassed and felt it was because you have sex with men?

39.3%

Has someone ever physically hurt you (pushed, shoved, slapped, hit, kicked, choked or otherwise physically hurt you), and do you believe any of these experiences of physical violence was/were related to the fact that you have sex with men?

30.2%

Have you ever been forced to have sex when you did not want to (by forced, we mean physically forced or coerced to have sex, or penetrated with an object), and do you believe any of these experiences of sexual violence were related to the fact that you have sex with men?

35.2%

Have you ever felt excluded from family activities because you have sex with men?

49.4%

Have you ever felt that family members have made discriminatory remarks or gossiped about you because you have sex with men?

26.5%

Have you ever felt afraid to go to health care services because you worry someone may treat you poorly because you have sex with men?

20.9%

Have you ever avoided going to health care services because you worry someone may treat you poorly because you have sex with men?

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