Understanding HIV-related stigma and discrimination in a "blameless" population
Document Type
Journal Article
Publisher
Guilford Publications, Inc.
Faculty
Faculty of Computing, Health and Science
School
School of Exercise, Biomedical and Health Science
RAS ID
4903
Abstract
HIV-related stigma and discrimination are major barriers to the successful control of HIV. Stigma is associated with the disease as well as the behaviors that lead to infection. A qualitative study was conducted to identify the reasons, sources, and types of HIV-related stigma prevalent in rural China. Eighty in-depth interviews were conducted with people living with HIV/AIDS, their family members, health care providers, and uninfected villagers. Stigmatizing behaviors were primarily associated with fear of HIV rather than with the route of infection. Uninfected villagers were the main source of discrimination, with health workers and family members also holding some stigmatizing attitudes. A primary concern for HIV-positive villagers was protecting their families, especially their children, from discrimination. Secondary stigma also extended to uninfected members of the same village. The results have been used to develop an intervention to reduce fear of casual transmission and stigma in these communities.
DOI
10.1521/aeap.2006.18.6.518
Comments
Cao, X., Sullivan, S. G., Xu, J., & Wu, Z. (2006). Understanding HIV-related stigma and discrimination in a" blameless" population. AIDS Education and Prevention, 18(6), 518. Available here