title: The prevalence and predictors of stigma amongst people living with HIV/AIDS in the Western Province.
abstract: The aim of the present study was determine the extent to which internalized and enacted stigma is experienced by people living with HIV/AIDS and to establish correlates of such experiences. A convenience sample of 400 HIV-positive participants was selected from three health clinics in the Cape Town area. Respondents' experiences of internalized and enacted stigma were investigated using the HIV/AIDS Stigma Instrument - PLWA (HASI-P). Overall, 28% of respondents endorsed more than one item addressing internalized stigma and 8% endorsed more than one item on any of the four subscales measuring enacted stigma. Male respondents (OR = 0.52, CI = 0.92-0.99), younger respondents (OR = 0.52, CI = 0.29-0.94), and those respondents who had been living with HIV longer were less likely to experience internalized stigma. More educated respondents (OR = 1.19, CI = 1.02-1.39) experienced more internalized stigma than those with less education No demographic characteristics predicted enacted stigma in this particular population. There are a number of possible reasons for low reports of HIV-related stigma, including having access to treatment and not disclosing HIV status.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry & Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa. katherine.sorsdahl@uct.ac.za
authors.forename: Katherine R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Sorsdahl
authors.forename: Sumaya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mall
authors.forename: Dan J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Stein
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Joska
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D013240:Stereotyping