Stigma guidance
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Healthcare approaches

Many of the stigma-reduction approaches already detailed in this part of the guidance are relevant in a health setting.

It can be useful to take a ‘circle of care’ approach. This means thinking about how to address stigma at different stages of the treatment and care journey:

  • Before accessing care in a clinical setting. This includes generating demand for health services (including mental health), creating an enabling environment for people with disabilities, and encouraging supportive social norms around accessing that care.
  • During care. This includes addressing provider behaviour towards patients, particularly those with disabilities. Empowering clients is also part of this phase.
  • After care. This includes follow-up from clinic experience, behavioural maintenance (both provider behaviour and client) and reinforcing links between the community and health sectors.

Source: HC3

This approach can help to reduce:

Social stigma.   Internalised stigma.

Stigma by association   Structural stigma.

About the four types of stigma

Case study
Inclusive family planning in Nigeria

The Nigeria inclusive family planning project identified stigma and discrimination as a key barrier to the use of family planning services by young men and women with disabilities.

The social and behaviour plan featured activities to address stigma, stereotypes and myths/misconceptions faced by young women and men with disabilities.

A group of young men in Nigeria sit on the ground playing a colourful board game.

A board game was one strategy used to promote awareness.

Approaches and activities included:

  • Mass media through radio and social media
  • Peer education to support the knowledge, skills and confidence of young people with disabilities (both married and unmarried)
  • Community activities, including an interactive board game, radio discussion, community drama and materials for religious leaders
  • Organisational change, by placing disability inclusion officers within the ministry of health
The social and behaviour plan featured activities to address stigma, stereotypes and misconceptions.
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