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African Health Sciences
Makerere University Medical School
ISSN: 1680-6905
EISSN: 1680-6905
Vol. 13, No. 2, 2013, pp. 278-286
Bioline Code: hs13040
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge

African Health Sciences, Vol. 13, No. 2, 2013, pp. 278-286

 en The impact of HIV/AIDS stigma on HIV counseling and testing in a high HIV prevalence population in Uganda
Ayiga, N; Nambooze, H; Nalugo, S; Kaye, D & Katamba, A

Abstract

Background: Despite its importance in HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, HIV/AIDS Counseling and Testing (HCT) is low in sub-Saharan Africa, where the disease continues to be a serious public health problem. This has in part been attributed to HIV/AIDS related stigma.
Objective: To assess the level of HIV/AIDS related stigma and its impact on uptake of HCT in a high HIV prevalence population in Uganda.
Methods: The paper used cross-sectional data on 135 men and 185 women in reproductive ages. Data were analyzed using the Pearson’s chi-square statistic and the random intercept binary logistic regression model to identify significant predictors of uptake of HCT.
Results: The result shows that only 18.4% of the respondents, most of them men expressed highly stigmatizing attitudes against PLHA and 59%, men and women alike, received HCT. Uptake of HCT was higher among men (OR=1.89, p<0.01) and women (OR=4.48, p <0.001) who expressed least stigmatizing attitudes. Secondary/higher education, work in the informal sector and being ever married were significant predictors of uptake of HCT. Compared to men, women aged 25-34, 35+ and with one sexual partner were more likely to have received HCT.
Conclusions: The low level of stigma, older age, higher level of education, being ever married and monogamous sexual relationships are significant predictors of increased uptake of HCT.

Keywords
HIV counseling and Testing; Stigma; Uganda

 
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