Stigmatizing Attitudes Toward Individuals Living with HIV/AIDS: Results from Rural Appalachian Ohio

Background: PLWHA in rural areas of the U.S. often do not disclose their serostatus for fear of HIV-related stigma and discrimination. However, few studies have assessed HIV-related stigma among rural individuals. Purpose: To assess attitudes toward PLWHA among adults living in Appalachian Ohio. Methods: Data were collected in 2009 from 301 individuals who resided in Appalachian Ohio. Results: Ninety-four percent of the participants were White, 49.5% female, 39.9% employed, and the mean age was 30.3 years (SD = 13.7). Over thirty percent of the sample supported coercive AIDS-related policies; 31.6% felt PLWHA should be legally separated and 35.9% felt names of PLWHA should be made public. Similarly, many participants blamed PLWHA for their infection; over 40% felt PLWHA “got what they deserved” and “don't care if they infect others.” Many of the participants expressed negative attitudes toward PLWHA; 20.3% expressed anger, 25.4% expressed disgust, and 39.6% expressed fear. Many participants had avoidant intentions when confronted with interacting with PLWHA; 41.8% would be uncomfortable sending their child to school where a student living with HIV was attending, 31.9% would be uncomfortable working with someone who is living with the disease, 27.9% would be uncomfortable shopping at a store if the owner was positive, and 43.8% would be uncomfortable going to doctor if he/she was living with HIV/AIDS. Conclusion: Stigma toward PLWHA was considerably higher than the most recent data from a nationally representative sample. More HIV prevention education is needed among individuals living in Appalachian Ohio.