Browsing by Subject "HIV/AIDS Stigma"

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    HIV/AIDS stigma: the latest dirty secret
    (National Inquiry Services Centre, 2003) Stein, Jo
    The rejection of HIV/AIDS stigma is based on the understanding that all acts of social exclusion relating to HIV/AIDS are not only morally wrong but also counterproductive to effective HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. There is some survey evidence suggesting that HIV/AIDS stigma has already diminished substantially over time both in South Africa and worldwide. However, it is arguable that these surveys are failing to measure the changing face of stigma effectively. This paper describes some of the conceptual and methodological challenges that quantitative research measuring stigma needs to address. Foremost amongst these is the fact that HIV/AIDS stigma stems from multiple sources which cannot be conflated if stigma is to be properly identified, measured and most importantly, addressed.
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    Measuring HIV/AIDS Stigma
    (2004) Maughan-Brown, Brendan
    This paper develops indices to measure HIV/AIDS stigma and explores potential determinants of this stigma. Indices are designed to measure the different dimensions of HIV/AIDS stigma. Findings show that levels of stigma vary depending on the measure of stigma used. Furthermore, despite stigma not being expressed consistently in each stigma index, the majority of respondents do exhibit HIV/AIDS stigma in some form. Judgemental attitudes and fear of infection are expressed with greater prevalence than intentions to discriminate against people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). The respondents’ understanding of HIV transmission is found to have the greatest impact on predicting levels of HIV/AIDS stigma, providing evidence for the importance of education campaigns. Racial differences are also salient in predicting both the magnitude of HIV/AIDS stigma and its determinants. This suggests that cultural and environmental aspects need to be considered when addressing HIV/AIDS stigma.