Social contact as a strategy to reduce stigma in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and expert perspectives

Social contact (SC) has been identified as a promising strategy for stigma reduction. Different types of SC exist. Various scholars defined positive factors to strengthen SC. This systematic review aims to investigate the application and effectiveness of SC as a strategy to reduce stigmatisation across stigmas, settings and populations in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). More specifically, it examines the use of positive factors. It finds that conclusions about which type of SC is more effective or whether SC is more effective for a specific stigma category cannot be drawn; rather, it recommends future research to strengthen reporting on effectiveness as well as people with lived experience (PWLE) perspective and SC processes, and to further critically examine the potential of SC. An overview of positive factors applied to strengthen SC is provided, which can stimulate reflection and guide future SC.