HIV stigma perceptions and sexual risk behaviors among black young women

ABSTRACT

Studies on HIV/AIDS routinely identify stigma as a barrier to both reducing sexual risk and increasing protective behaviors. Due to the high rates of HIV infections among Black females in the United States, this exploratory study examined stigma perceptions and their associations with risk behaviors in a sample of 281 Black females aged 18–23 attending family planning clinics. Participants completed the HIV/AIDS Stigma scale which has three sub-scales assessing knowledge, subjective, and community stigma. Risk behaviors were also measured. The majority of participants demonstrated a lack of knowledge about HIV transmission pathways, some displayed self-shaming attitudes associated with an HIV diagnosis, and perceived stigma from the community. Overall, there were no associations between the stigma subscales and risk behaviors. Since there are major inconsistences in knowledge, stigma and behaviors among sexually active Black female youth, HIV education must address both stigma and risk behaviors associated with HIV transmission. These results suggest family planning clinics should engage this youth population in both routine HIV screening and HIV and risk behavior education during their healthcare visits.

KEYWORDS:

• Black female youth
• HIV knowledge
• HIV Stigma
• risk behaviors

Additional information

Funding

The study was partially supported by Focus, Gilead Sciences, Inc.