Yale University

HIV-related stigma and social capital in South Africa.

TitleHIV-related stigma and social capital in South Africa.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2008
AuthorsChiu, Jessica, Janice Grobbelaar, Kathy Sikkema, Alain Vandormoel, Nolunckwe Bomela, and Trace Kershaw
JournalAIDS education and prevention : official publication of the International Society for AIDS Education
Volume20
Issue6
Pagination519-30
Date Published2008 Dec
ISSN1943-2755
KeywordsAdolescent, Adult, Female, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, HIV Infections, Humans, Interviews as Topic, Linear Models, Male, Middle Aged, Prejudice, Social Support, South Africa, Stereotyping
AbstractFew studies have considered the relationship between social capital and stigmatizing attitudes. The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between HIV stigmatizing attitudes and individual perceptions of social capital in South Africa. The study surveyed 619 community members to assess whether social capital predicted personal and attributed HIV stigmatizing attitudes. Personal stigma was defined as the individual's own attitude toward people with HIV and attributed stigma were those attitudes that the individual perceived as existing in their communities. Results showed that social capital components significantly predicted personal and attributed stigma above and beyond demographic covariates and whether the participant knew someone with HIV. Individual social capital components of empowerment, trust, and group membership related to personal stigma; and safety, trust, and homogeneity of residential area related to attributed stigma.
DOI10.1086/528859
Alternate JournalAIDS Educ Prev

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