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. 2013 Dec;103(12):2193-9.
doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2013.301437. Epub 2013 Oct 17.

"You're an open target to be abused": a qualitative study of stigma and HIV self-disclosure among Black men who have sex with men

Jason D P Bird  1 , Dexter R Voisin
Affiliations

"You're an open target to be abused": a qualitative study of stigma and HIV self-disclosure among Black men who have sex with men

Jason D P Bird et al. Am J Public Health. 2013 Dec.

Abstract

The HIV/AIDS epidemic is a health crisis among Black men who have sex with men (MSM). HIV-related stigma presents a primary barrier to sexual communication and effective HIV prevention. Using in-depth, qualitative interviews conducted with 20 HIV-positive Black MSM between 2007 and 2008 in Chicago, Illinois, we explored the themes related to HIV-related stigma and the underlying messages HIV-positive Black MSM receive regarding their status. Stigmatizing messages stem from family, churches, and the gay community and from negative, internalized, beliefs HIV-positive Black MSM held about infected individuals before their own infection. HIV stigma influences sexual silence around HIV disclosure, especially to sexual partners.

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References

    1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HIV among African Americans. 2012 Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/aa/pdf/aa.pdf. Accessed August 22, 2012.
    1. The Kaiser Family Foundation. The HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States. 2012 Available at: http://www.kff.org/hivaids/upload/3029-13.pdf. Accessed January 31, 2013.
    1. US Census Bureau. Quick Facts USA. 2012 Available at: http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/00000.html. Accessed February 12, 2013.
    1. Kaiser Family Foundation. Black Americans and HIV/AIDS. 2012 Available at: http://kaiserfamilyfoundation.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/6089-10.pdf. Accessed August 22, 2012.
    1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HIV among gay and bisexual men. 2012 Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/risk/gender/msm/facts/index.html. Accessed August 22, 2012.

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