At the Edge? HIV Stigma and Centrality in a Community’s Social Network in Namibia

Abstract

Social network analysis was used to examine the relationship between HIV/AIDS stigmatization, perceived risk, and centrality in the community network (via participation in community groups). The findings from respondents in Keetmanshoop, Namibia (N = 375) showed an interaction between stigma and risk perceptions: those who perceived higher HIV risk and stronger HIV stigma participated in fewer community groups and participated in groups with members who participated less widely across the network. In contrast, those who perceived higher HIV risk and weaker HIV stigma participated more, and were in community groups that are located on a greater share of the paths between entities in the network. Taboo, secrecy, resistance, knowing a person living with HIV/AIDS, and desire for diagnosis secrecy were also related to centrality. Findings suggest that the interaction of perceived HIV risk and HIV stigma are related to structural-level features of community networks based on participation in community groups.

Socio-psychological factors associated with anticipated stigma toward COVID-19: a cross-sectional study in Japan

“…Such misclassification would weaken the observed association between experiences of stigmatization and the perception of anticipated stigma. Additionally, previous studies have shown that individuals with ulcerative colitis [ 54 , 55 ] and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome [ 56 , 57 ] are more likely to experience stigma; however, we did not consider these diseases in our analysis because the necessary information was not collected in the survey. Third, those who are indifferent to COVID-19 may have been reluctant to complete this survey, because it is designed as a survey measuring the impact of COVID-19.…”

Network stigma towards people living with HIV/AIDS and their caregivers: An egocentric network study

“…Alters may still keep their previous relationship with ego, but reduce the amount of interaction upon learning of an ego's HIV status or association to a HIV positive person (Liu et al, 2009). Similarly, egos may also reduce contact frequency with alters due to fear of stigma and discrimination from alters once their HIV status or association with a HIV positive person is disclosed (Smith, Rossetto, & Peterson, 2008). Frequent contact was associated with less network stigma among both PLWHAs and caregivers, but the relationship was only statistically significant among caregiver egos.…”

Geographical, Health Systems’ and Sociocultural Patterns of Tb/Hiv Co- Infected Patients’ Health Seeking Behavior in a Conflict Affected Setting: The Case of Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

“…It has been found that concerns about stigma are associated with reductions in test and treatment-seeking behavior, disclosure of HIV status, the level of social support solicited and received as well as personal identity and esteem [21,22]. Secrecy is therefore critical in community where HIV or TB till suffer social stigmatization [23]. In our study area, it was found that patients shun their testing and treatment facilities by fear for being discriminated against if they are labeled as infected with TB/HIV.…”