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Table 2 Stakeholder social distance scale (SDS) results

From: “It’s all about asking from those who have walked the path”: Patient and stakeholder perspectives on how peers may shift substance use stigma in HIV care in South Africa

 

Undesirable

Desirable

 

Definitely not

Unlikely

Likely

Definitely

Would you have a conversation with Andile?

1 (4%)

1 (4%)

1 (4%)

22 (88%)

Would you work on the same job as Andile?

5 (20%)

5 (20%)

3 (12%)

12 (48%)

Would you make friends with Andile?**

3 (12%)

6 (24%)

6 (24%)

9 (36%)

Would you share a room or a house with Andile?**

6 (24%)

11 (44%)

5 (20%)

2 (8%)

Would you date or marry someone like Andile?

15 (60%)

5 (20%)

5 (20%)

0

 

Definitely

Likely

Unlikely

Definitely not

Would you be ashamed if people knew someone like Andile was in your family? [reverse coded]

1 (4%)

0

5 (20%)

19 (76%)

SDS items in recovery

If someone like Andile had now been in recovery from drug and alcohol use for 2 years:

 

Undesirable

Desirable

 

Definitely not

Unlikely

Likely

Definitely

Would you want to work professionally with them as part of your team?

1 (4%)

0

2 (8%)

22 (88%)

Would you feel comfortable with them on your team?

0

0

4 (16%)

21 (84%)

Would you feel comfortable socializing with them?

0

1 (4%)

7 (28%)

17 (68%)

SDS Results Summary Based on Recovery Status

 

High social distance (≥ 2 Undesirable)

Moderate social distance

(1 Undesirable)

Low social distance (0 Undesirable)

Not in recovery

18 (72%)

6 (24%)

1 (4%)

In recovery

0

2 (8%)

23 (92%)

Other relevant questions

 

M (SD) or n (%)

Range

Interested in getting training to help someone like Andile with drug problems** (1 not at all interested to 10 very interested)

9.54 (1.41)

5–10

Has someone in family with mental health/substance use problems

18 (72%)

Has received substance use or other mental health training

11 (44%)

  1. *The SDS is presented as the frequency of responses for each question, with four options ranging from definitely not to definitely, categorizing proximity as either “desirable” or “undesirable”
  2. High SDS =  ≥ 2 undesirable responses (out of 6 total), moderate = 1 undesirable response, and low = 0
  3. **1 participant declined to answer question