Socio-demographic and gendered differentials in attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) among youths in South Africa.
Date
2017
Authors
Mokgele, Kgothatso
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Abstract
Introduction: HIV/AIDS epidemic has become one of the most rampant infections known to humanity.
Although steps have been taken to eliminate HIV-related negative attitudes towards both the infection
and People Living with HIV/AIDS in South Africa, studies depicts that at least one-third of people living
with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) have been discriminated and/or attacked, as a result of their HIV-positive
status (Human Sciences Research Council, 2015). This research study sought to explore gender and
sociodemographic differences in attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).
Furthermore, explore other demographic and socioeconomic characteristics that influence attitudes.
Methodology: The study utilised secondary data obtained from the South African National HIV
Prevalence, Incidence, Behaviour and Communication Survey (SABSSM) published in 2008. The total
number of individuals sampled for the survey was 23 369, who are between the ages 2-99 years old.
Due to the population of interest being youth (15-24 years old) the analytic sample size utilised in this
study was 5 344 (N). Data was managed using the STATA 12 and was analysed in a way that answers
the objectives of the study. The outcome variable was attitudes towards PLWHA and the predictors
were sex, age, highest level of education, marital status, home language, employment status, HIV
testing, Condom use, and race. The data analysis was done in different phases, for descriptive analysis
the study provides a series of frequency tables and graphs. A chi-square test was conducted, to test
for the association between socio-demographic factors and attitudes towards PLWHA, and for
multivariate analysis the study employed Binary Logistic Regression.
Results: The results showed that 75% of youth have positive attitude while 24% have negative attitude
towards PLWHA. Positive attitude towards PLWHA was not associated to gender of youth’s. Socio
economic indicators such as age and condom use have indicated a positive association to positive
attitude towards PLWHA.
Conclusion: The prevalence of stigma and discrimination needs to be addressed in South Africa, and
more programs needs to be implemented. PLWHA not only have to suffer from medical problems
which can deplete quality of life, but also affects the broader health perspective and increase social
prejudice.
Key Words: Stigma, Discrimination, People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA)
Description
A research report submitted to the School of Social Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in the field of Demography and Population Studies, 2017
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Citation
Mokgele, Kgothatso Martin (2018) Socio-demographic and gendered differentials in attitudes towards people living with HIV/Aids (PLWHA) among youths in South Africa, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, https://hdl.handle.net/10539/27656