title: AIDS-related stigma, HIV testing, and transmission risk among patrons of informal drinking places in Cape Town, South Africa.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  AIDS-related stigma as a barrier to HIV testing has not been examined within the context of high at risk environments such as drinking venues. Of particular importance is whether AIDS-related stigma is associated with HIV transmission risks among people who have never been tested for HIV.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We examined: (1) AIDS-related stigma as a barrier to testing, controlling for other potential barriers, and (2) whether stigma is associated with HIV risks among HIV-untested individuals.
  
  
  METHODS
  We surveyed 2,572 individuals attending informal drinking establishments in Cape Town, South Africa to assess HIV testing status, AIDS-related stigma endorsement, and HIV transmission sexual risk behavior.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Endorsement of AIDS-related stigma was negatively associated with HIV lifetime testing. In addition, stigma endorsement was associated with higher HIV transmission risks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AIDS-related stigma must be addressed in HIV prevention campaigns across South Africa. Antistigma messages should be integrated with risk reduction counseling and testing.
authors.affiliation: University of Connecticut, Storrs, USA. eileen.v.pitpitan@gmail.com
authors.forename: Eileen V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Pitpitan
authors.forename: Seth C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Kalichman
authors.forename: Lisa A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Eaton
authors.forename: Demetria
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cain
authors.forename: Kathleen J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Sikkema
authors.forename: Donald
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Skinner
authors.forename: Melissa H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Watt
authors.forename: Desiree
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pieterse
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000635:transmission; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000635:transmission; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D012931:Social Environment; D057545:Social Stigma; D013019:South Africa