HIV/AIDS knowledge and stigma among women of reproductive age in Ethiopia
Afr. j. AIDS res. (Online)
;
14(3): 191-199, 2015.
Article
in English
| AIM
| ID: biblio-1256604
ABSTRACT
HIV/AIDS stigma is one of the major public health challenges in Ethiopia. This study examined knowledge about HIV/AIDS and factors behind stigmatisation towards people living with the virus based on demographic and health survey data collected in 2011 from women in the age group 15-49 years. The result shows that 49.3% of rural women had adequate knowledge about HIV/AIDS compared with 74.7% of urban women. About three-fourths (72.1%) of the rural women had stigmatising attitudes towards PLWHA whilst the proportion in urban areas was only about a third (34.2%). The likelihood of having adequate knowledge about HIV/AIDS was significantly higher among educated women but lower among those living in Afar; Somali; and Gambella regions and Dire Dawa City. Women with higher levels of education and frequent access to media had a lower tendency to stigmatise people living with the virus. Adequate knowledge about HIV/AIDS was also significantly associated with lower likelihood of stigmatisation. The results generally indicate that HIV/AIDS stigma in Ethiopia is partly explained by people's knowledge about HIV/AIDS and by socio-cultural factors that shape their perception of the epidemic. Awareness-raising efforts should thus consider the socio-cultural contexts in which stigma occurs to tackle discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS
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Index:
AIM (Africa)
Main subject:
HIV Infections
/
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
/
Ethiopia
/
Social Stigma
Country/Region as subject:
Africa
Language:
English
Journal:
Afr. j. AIDS res. (Online)
Year:
2015
Type:
Article
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