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. 2012 Jun;43(3):362-71.
doi: 10.1007/s12160-012-9346-9.

AIDS-related stigma, HIV testing, and transmission risk among patrons of informal drinking places in Cape Town, South Africa

Eileen V Pitpitan  1 , Seth C Kalichman, Lisa A Eaton, Demetria Cain, Kathleen J Sikkema, Donald Skinner, Melissa H Watt, Desiree Pieterse
Affiliations

AIDS-related stigma, HIV testing, and transmission risk among patrons of informal drinking places in Cape Town, South Africa

Eileen V Pitpitan et al. Ann Behav Med. 2012 Jun.

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.

Purpose: 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.

Conclusion: AIDS-related stigma must be addressed in HIV prevention campaigns across South Africa. Antistigma messages should be integrated with risk reduction counseling and testing.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest Statement: The authors have no conflict of interest to disclose.

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