title: A latent class analysis of stigmatizing attitudes and knowledge of HIV risk among youth in South Africa.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The current study aims to investigate how the ability to accurately gauge risk factors associated with contracting HIV while taking into consideration various individual and community level socio-demographic characteristics (e.g., race and poverty) predicts the nature of stigmatizing attitudes toward persons with HIV.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from a sample of 1,347 Cape Town area youth who participated in the Cape Area Panel Study (CAPS) Wave 2a were used. Latent Class Analysis was conducted to ascertain whether response patterns regarding knowledge of HIV contraction suggest the presence of subgroups within the sample.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Findings indicate that there are four latent classes representing unique response pattern profiles regarding knowledge of HIV contraction. Additionally, our results suggest that those in South Africa who are classified as "white," live in more affluent communities, and have more phobic perceptions of HIV risk are also more likely to have the most stigmatizing attitudes toward those who are HIV positive.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Implications of these findings include extending HIV knowledge, education, and awareness programs to those who are not traditionally targeted in an attempt to increase levels of knowledge about HIV and, consequently, decrease stigma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human and Organizational Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America.
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brinkley-Rubinstein
authors.affiliation: Department of Human and Organizational Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America.
authors.forename: Krista
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Craven
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012306:Risk; D057545:Social Stigma; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D013240:Stereotyping; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult