HIV-Related Stigma and Knowledge in the United States

Prevalence and Trends, 1991–1999

Bibliographic Data

ID11033655
AuthorsGregory M Herek (The authors are with the Department of Psychology, University of California at Davis.), John P Capitanio (0000-0002-3680-1323, The authors are with the Department of Psychology, University of California at Davis.), Keith F Widaman (0000-0002-6424-3998, The authors are with the Department of Psychology, University of California at Davis.)
Year2002
Volume92
Issue3
Pages371-377
Publication date2002-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Journal of Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0090-0036 • E-ISSN: 1541-0048
PublisherAmerican Public Health Association (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.2105/ajph.92.3.371
PMID11867313
OpenAlexW2129000173
LanguageEN
Citations received297
References cited31

Objectives. This study assessed the prevalence of AIDS stigma and misinformation about HIV transmission in 1997 and 1999 and examined trends in stigma in the United States during the 1990s. Methods. Telephone surveys with national probability samples of English-speaking adults were conducted in the period 1996 to 1997 (n = 1309) and in 1998 to 1999 (n = 669). Findings were compared with results from a similar 1991 survey. Results. Overt expressions of stigma declined throughout the 1990s, with support for its most extreme and coercive forms (e.g., quarantine) at very low levels by 1999. However, inaccurate beliefs about the risks posed by casual social contact increased, as did the belief that people with AIDS (PWAs) deserve their illness. In 1999, approximately one third of respondents expressed discomfort and negative feelings toward PWAs. Conclusions. Although support for extremely punitive policies toward PWAs has declined, AIDS remains a stigmatized condition in the United States. The persistence of discomfort with PWAs, blame directed at PWAs for their condition, and misapprehensions about casual social contact are cause for continuing concern and should be addressed in HIV prevention and education programs. (Am J Public Health. 2002;92:371–377)

Blame · Casual · Family medicine · Feeling · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) · Misinformation · Political science · Prejudice (legal term) · Psychiatry · Social stigma · Stigma (botany) · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Demography · Epidemiology · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology