An exploratory survey measuring stigma and discrimination experienced by people living with HIV/AIDS in South Africa: the People Living with HIV Stigma Index

BMC Public Health

Elna van der Ryst³  Gustaaf Wolvaardt⁴  Shaun E Mellors²  Pieter Kruger¹  Monika ML dos Santos¹ 

[1] Psychology Department, University of South Africa, PO Box 392, 0004 Pretoria, South Africa;International HIV/AIDS Alliance, Hove, UK;Independent Consultant, The Research Network, Sandwich, UK;Foundation for Professional Development (FPD), Pretoria, South Africa

关键词: South African context;    Discrimination;    Stigma;    HIV/AIDS;   

Others  :  1161303
DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2458-14-80

 received in 2013-04-25, accepted in 2014-01-22,  发布年份 2014

【 摘 要 】

Background

The continued presence of stigma and its persistence even in areas where HIV prevalence is high makes it an extraordinarily important, yet difficult, issue to eradicate. The study aimed to assess current and emerging HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination trends in South Africa as experienced by people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV).

Methods

The PLHIV Stigma Index, a questionnaire that measures and detects changing trends in relation to stigma and discrimination experienced by PLHIV, was used as the survey tool. The study was conducted in 10 clinics in four provinces supported by the Foundation for Professional Development (FPD), with an interview total of 486 PLHIV. A cross-sectional design was implemented in the study, and both descriptive and inferential analysis was conducted on the data.

Results

Findings suggest that PLHIV in this population experience significant levels of stigma and discrimination that negatively impact on their health, working and family life, as well as their access to health services. Internalised stigma was prominent, with many participants blaming themselves for their status.

Conclusion

The findings can be used to develop and inform programmes and interventions to reduce stigma experienced by PLHIV. The current measures for dealing with stigma should be expanded to incorporate the issues related to health, education and discrimination experienced in the workplace, that were highlighted by the study.

【 授权许可】

   
2014 dos Santos et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

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