Prevalence of, and factors associated with, HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discriminatory attitudes in Botswana.
Botswana has the highest prevalence of HIV in the world. The epidemic of HIV/AIDS is often accompanied by stigma and discrimination that create the circumstances for spreading HIV. To facilitate the design of effective programmes to fight the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discriminatory attitudes, this study examined survey data on the prevalence of, and factors associated with, such attitudes in Botswana. While most respondents showed discriminatory attitudes towards a teacher or a shopkeeper with HIV/AIDS, only 11% of 4,147 respondents reported unwillingness to care for a family member with HIV/AIDS. The more tolerant attitudes towards a family member with HIV/AIDS appeared to be promoted by the fact that family members have been and continue to care for their sick members through a government project called Community Home-based Care aimed at relieving public hospitals of HIV/AIDS patients. Since the burden of caring for sick relatives rests on the shoulders of women, they portrayed more tolerant attitudes towards HIV/AIDS patients. Young people and those who believed a person could get HIV infection by sharing a meal with an HIV/AIDS patient had discriminatory attitudes towards people with HIV/AIDS. The national information, education and communication programme needs to be strengthened to reach more people for HIV/AIDS education. Finally, programmes that aim to promote more tolerant attitudes towards people with HIV/AIDS may be more effective if the human rights of those with HIV/AIDS are promoted and respected.
Letamo
Gobopamang
G
Department of Population Studies, University of Botswana, Private Bag UB 00705, Gaborone, Botswana. gobopamang@yahoo.co.uk
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001902:Botswana / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011287:Prejudice; D015995:Prevalence; D011639:Public Opinion; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires