Relationship between Knowledge of Someone Infected With HIV/AIDS and HIV Stigma: A Moderated Mediation Model of HIV Knowledge, Gender and HIV Test Uptake
Sub-Saharan Africa has been disproportionately impacted by the HIV/AIDS epidemic
with about 70% of all new infections worldwide.
Nigeria, with over 3.4 million people living with HIV/AIDS has the second
highest number of PLWH in the world. HIV/AIDS is the third cause of death in Nigeria,
responsible for 9% of all deaths.
Some of the main drivers for the HIV epidemic in Nigeria include: (a) HIV stigma, (b) HIV
knowledge, (c) HIV test uptake, (d) sexual behavior, and sociodemographic factors
including knowledge of someone infected with HIV/AIDS, gender and ethnicity.
Stigma associated with HIV is troubling because it creates an environment
where individuals avoid testing, engage in risky sexual behavior, and potentially
lose social support.
While there is well documented literature indicating that has a negative
effect on HIV/AIDS treatment and care, Okoror and colleagues in a qualitative
study involving 35 PLWH in southwest Nigeria found that anticipated stigma
from the from the physical manifestation of HIV/AIDS, such as weight loss,
was a motivator for PLWH adherence to antiretroviral therapy.
HIV/AIDS Res Treat Open J. 2016; SE(1): S14-S22. doi: 10.17140/HARTOJ-SE-1-103
