Stigma of People with HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Literature Review

doi:10.1155/2009/145891

. 2009:2009:145891.

doi: 10.1155/2009/145891. Epub 2009 Aug 16.

Stigma of People with HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Literature Review

Ngozi C Mbonu¹, Bart van den Borne, Nanne K De Vries

Affiliations

Affiliation

¹ Department of Health Promotion, School of Public Health and Primary Care CAPHRI, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.

PMID: 20309417
PMCID: PMC2836916
DOI: 10.1155/2009/145891

Stigma of People with HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Literature Review

Ngozi C Mbonu et al. J Trop Med. 2009.

. 2009:2009:145891.

doi: 10.1155/2009/145891. Epub 2009 Aug 16.

Authors

Ngozi C Mbonu¹, Bart van den Borne, Nanne K De Vries

Affiliation

¹ Department of Health Promotion, School of Public Health and Primary Care CAPHRI, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.

PMID: 20309417
PMCID: PMC2836916
DOI: 10.1155/2009/145891

Abstract

The aim of this literature review is to elucidate what is known about HIV/AIDS and stigma in Sub-Saharan Africa. Literature about HIV/AIDS and stigma in Sub-Saharan Africa was systematically searched in Pubmed, Medscape, and Psycinfo up to March 31, 2009. No starting date limit was specified. The material was analyzed using Gilmore and Somerville's (1994) four processes of stigmatizing responses: the definition of the problem HIV/AIDS, identification of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), linking HIV/AIDS to immorality and other negative characteristics, and finally behavioural consequences of stigma (distancing, isolation, discrimination in care). It was found that the cultural construction of HIV/AIDS, based on beliefs about contamination, sexuality, and religion, plays a crucial role and contributes to the strength of distancing reactions and discrimination in society. Stigma prevents the delivery of effective social and medical care (including taking antiretroviral therapy) and also enhances the number of HIV infections. More qualitative studies on HIV/AIDS stigma including stigma in health care institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa are recommended.

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References

1. Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) AIDS epidemic update, 2008, http://data.unaids.org/pub/EPIslides/2007/2007_epiupdate_en.pdf. - PubMed
1. Greeff M, Phetlhu R, Makoae LN, et al. Disclosure of HIV status: experiences and perceptions of persons living with HIV/AIDS and nurses involved in their care in Africa. Qualitative Health Research. 2008;18(3):311–324. - PubMed
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1. Gerbert B, Sumser J, Maguire BT. The impact of who you know and where you live on opinions about AIDS and health care. Social Science and Medicine. 1991;32(6):677–681. - PubMed
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[1] Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) AIDS epidemic update, 2008, http://data.unaids.org/pub/EPIslides/2007/2007_epiupdate_en.pdf. - PubMed

[2] Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) AIDS epidemic update, 2008, http://data.unaids.org/pub/EPIslides/2007/2007_epiupdate_en.pdf. - PubMed

[3] Greeff M, Phetlhu R, Makoae LN, et al. Disclosure of HIV status: experiences and perceptions of persons living with HIV/AIDS and nurses involved in their care in Africa. Qualitative Health Research. 2008;18(3):311–324. - PubMed

[4] Greeff M, Phetlhu R, Makoae LN, et al. Disclosure of HIV status: experiences and perceptions of persons living with HIV/AIDS and nurses involved in their care in Africa. Qualitative Health Research. 2008;18(3):311–324. - PubMed

[5] Rankin WW, Brennan S, Schell E, Laviwa J, Rankin SH. The stigma of being HIV-positive in Africa. PLoS Medicine. 2005;2(8):p. e247. - PMC - PubMed

[6] Rankin WW, Brennan S, Schell E, Laviwa J, Rankin SH. The stigma of being HIV-positive in Africa. PLoS Medicine. 2005;2(8):p. e247. - PMC - PubMed

[7] Gerbert B, Sumser J, Maguire BT. The impact of who you know and where you live on opinions about AIDS and health care. Social Science and Medicine. 1991;32(6):677–681. - PubMed

[8] Gerbert B, Sumser J, Maguire BT. The impact of who you know and where you live on opinions about AIDS and health care. Social Science and Medicine. 1991;32(6):677–681. - PubMed

[9] Herek GM, Glunt EK. An epidemic of stigma: public reactions to AIDS. American Psychologist. 1988;43(11):886–891. - PubMed

[10] Herek GM, Glunt EK. An epidemic of stigma: public reactions to AIDS. American Psychologist. 1988;43(11):886–891. - PubMed

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Stigma of People with HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Literature Review

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Stigma of People with HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Literature Review

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