The perception of discrimination in the HIV policy among Czech gay men.

The study aimed to evaluate the perception of discrimination in the Czech national HIV policy among gay men. The anonymous questionnaires were published in the gay journal and 191 respondents filled them and returned back. Their assessment of discrimination in the HIV policy and other life activities were ranked in 5-points scale. Assumed discrimination in the HIV policy was found to be one of the lowest one. Forty-one percent of men who answered did not find any discrimination in the HIV policy at all, eleven percent of them perceived it at the highest level. The personal perception of HIV discrimination was related to the fear of discrimination in the health facilities and to the general evaluation of political change for gay life. HIV policy is generally viewed as tolerant and without discriminative approach toward vulnerable minorities. The number of negative evaluations can play important role in the obstacles of preventive programs.