Predictors of HIV-related stigma among young people living with HIV.
Enacted and perceived HIV stigma was examined among substance-using young people living with HIV (YPLH) in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York City (N = 147). Almost all YPLH (89%) reported perceived stigma, and 31% reported enacted experiences in the past 3 months; 64% reported experiences during their lifetime. The HIV stigma questions were characterized by factors of avoidance, social rejection, abuse, and shame. In multivariate models, enacted stigma was associated with gay or bisexual identity, symptomatic HIV or AIDS, and bartering sex. Perceived stigma was associated with female gender, symptomatic HIV or AIDS, bartering sex, lower injection drug use, and fewer friends and family knowing serostatus. Gay or bisexual YPLH who were also HIV symptomatic or AIDS diagnosed experienced more HIV stigma than their heterosexual peers.
Swendeman
Dallas
D
University of California, Los Angeles AIDS Institute and Center for HIV Identification, Prevention, and Treatment Services, Los Angeles, California, USA. dswendeman@mednet.ucla.edu
Rotheram-Borus
Mary Jane
MJ
Comulada
Scott
S
Weiss
Robert
R
Ramos
Maria Elena
ME
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001364:Awareness; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D006716:Homosexuality / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D013240:Stereotyping; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology