Document Detail


Stigma rises despite antiretroviral roll-out: a longitudinal analysis in South Africa.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  19892454     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Stigma is a recognised problem for effective prevention, treatment, and care of HIV/AIDS. However, few studies have measured changes in the magnitude and character of stigma over time. This paper provides the first quantitative evaluation in Africa of the changing nature of stigma and the potential determinants of these changes. More specifically, it evaluates the dynamic relationship between stigma and (1) increased personal contact with people living with HIV/AIDS and (2) knowing people who died of AIDS. Panel survey data collected in Cape town 2003 and 2006 for 1074 young adults aged 14-22 years were used to evaluate changes in three distinct dimensions of stigma: behavioural intentions towards people living with HIV/AIDS; instrumental stigma; and symbolic stigma. Individual fixed effects regression models are used to evaluate factors that influence stigma over time. Each dimension of stigma increased in the population as a whole, and for all racial and gender sub-groups. Symbolic stigma increased the most, followed by instrumental stigma, while negative behavioural intentions showed a modest increase. Knowing someone who died of AIDS was significantly associated with an increase in instrumental stigma and symbolic stigma, while increased personal contact with people living with HIV/AIDS was not significantly associated with any changes in stigma. Despite interventions, such as public-sector provision of antiretroviral treatment (which some hoped would have reduced stigma), stigma increased among a sample highly targeted with HIV-prevention messages. These findings emphasise that changes in stigma are difficult to predict and thus important to monitor. They also indicate the imperative for renewed efforts to reduce stigma, perhaps through interventions to weaken the association between HIV/AIDS and death, to reduce fear of HIV/AIDS, and to recast HIV as a chronic manageable disease.
Authors:
Brendan Maughan-Brown
Related Documents :
16266444 - Abstain or die: the development of hiv/aids policy in botswana.
10139144 - Aids in the workplace: implementing an aids policy.
18669114 - Role of governmental and non-governmental organizations in mitigation of stigma and dis...
17140434 - Aids epidemic at age 25 and control efforts in china.
8561104 - The diagnostic value of bac for identifying alcohol-related problems among dwi offender...
8022304 - Movement to the community: reduction of behavioral difficulties.
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't     Date:  2009-11-04
Journal Detail:
Title:  Social science & medicine (1982)     Volume:  70     ISSN:  1873-5347     ISO Abbreviation:  Soc Sci Med     Publication Date:  2010 Feb 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-02-01     Completed Date:  2010-03-09     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8303205     Medline TA:  Soc Sci Med     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  368-74     Citation Subset:  IM    
Copyright Information:
Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Affiliation:
AIDS and Society Research Unit, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch, 7701, Cape Town, South Africa. brendan.maughanbrown@gmail.com
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adolescent
Adolescent Behavior / psychology*
Anti-Retroviral Agents / therapeutic use
Evaluation Studies as Topic
Female
HIV Infections / drug therapy,  psychology*
Humans
Intention
Interpersonal Relations
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Regression Analysis
Social Behavior
South Africa
Stereotyping*
Young Adult
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Anti-Retroviral Agents

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  An assessment of community readiness for HIV/AIDS preventive interventions in rural Bangladesh.
Next Document:  Laparoscopic appendectomy performed during pregnancy by gynecological laparoscopists.