141st APHA Annual Meeting

In This section

290135
HIV-related stigma in faith-based settings

Monday, November 4, 2013

Jason D. Coleman, PhD, MSPH , School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, University of Nebraska Omaha, Omaha, NE
Allan Tate , School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Bambi Gaddist, DrPH , South Carolina HIV/AIDS Council, South Carolina HIV/AIDS Council, Columbia, SC
Background: As HIV prevention strategies focus to a greater degree on structural approaches to prevention, a deeper understanding of the distal determinants of attitudes toward HIV/AIDS must be further explored. Previous studies have found that HIV-related stigma is higher in specific populations, particularly African Americans. Further, faith-based HIV prevention interventions designed for faith-based organizations (FBOs) have shown promise as a way to address HIV-related stigma and negative attitudes.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was administered to 2,184 congregants from African American FBOs to examine correlates of HIV-related stigma and attitudes in 2009. The survey instrument included demographic variables, measures of religiosity, and measures of HIV-related attitudes as indicators of HIV-related stigma. ANOVA tests with post hoc tests were conducted to determine differences in HIV-related stigma among groups.

Results: Significant differences were found in HIV-related attitudes between sex and among marital status, age, education level, and religiosity. Variable comparisons showed interaction within groups, and further indicated that married couples, individuals aged 26-44, and individuals with higher levels of educational attainment had the most favorable HIV-related attitudes. Least favorable attitudes were expressed by participants aged 18-25 and 65+ and among those with less than a 12th grade education.

Conclusions: This study contributes to the greater scientific body of knowledge by identifying specific sub-populations with which to focus community-based HIV stigma reduction efforts. The reduction of HIV-related stigma may have tangible outcomes including increased HIV testing, greater acceptance of persons living with HIV/AIDS, and further opportunities for community-based HIV prevention programs.

Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Diversity and culture
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Program planning
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Describe correlates of HIV-related stigma as identified in this study. Identify sub-populations to whom to direct community-based HIV-stigma reduction interventions.

Keywords: HIV Interventions, Community Health Programs

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I conducted the primary research study.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.