Abstract #3509 - The People Living With HIV Stigma Index: South Africa 2014
Authors:
Presenting Author:
Prof Leickness Simbayi - Human Sciences Research CouncilAdditional Authors
Dr K Zuma, Dr A Cloete, Dr S Jooste, Dr S Blose, Dr S Zimela, Dr N Mathabathe, Dr D Pelisa, . T South Africa PLHIV HIV Stigma Index Survey GroupAim:
The primary objective of the People Living with HIV (PLHIV) Stigma Index was to measure the stigma and discrimination experienced by PLHIV in South Africa. This is the first Stigma Index that has been conducted in South Africa on a national level. A total of 10 714 PLHIV aged 15 years and older took part in the study. The Stigma Index was implemented over 13 weeks in 18 districts (two in each of the nine provinces) of South Africa. This study was conducted with the collaboration of organisations such as the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), National Association of People Living with AIDS (NAPWA), and Positive Women’s Network (PWN). The majority of PLHIV who took part in the survey were women with a mean age of 36 years more than half ࿖.3%) of the respondents reported having gone without food during the last 12 months and half have been living with HIV for more than 5 years. Results of the survey demonstrate that although South Africa made some good progress in the management of HIV-related stigma, in particular within the health care sector, about one-third of PLHIV who took part in the study reported some form of external stigma while over 40% experienced internalized stigma and stigma-related to TB. There is therefore an urgent need to develop both national policies and evidence-based stigma reduction programmes to address HIV-related stigma and discrimination in South Africa.Go Back