Correlation between history of contact with people living with HIV AIDS PWAs and tolerant attitudes toward HIV AIDS and PWAs in rural Thailand

Abstract

This study examines the hypothesis that people who have more contact with PWAs (people living with AIDS) are more tolerant than those who have no contact with them. Four provinces with different incidence of AIDS in 4 different regions of Thailand were selected. Structured questionnaire interviews were conducted with village people, asking about their history of contact with PWAs, and knowledge and attitudes toward HIV/AIDS and PWAs (n = 434). An 'Attitude Score', which indicates an accepting attitude (or tolerance) toward HIV/AIDS and PWAs, was developed using the results of the questionnaire on attitudes. Six factors: sex, education, age, province, knowledge, and history of contact with PWAs were positively correlated with the Attitude Score. After a multiple regression analysis, contact with PWAs was significantly associated with Attitude Score. This study is one of the first analytical studies conducted in a non-Western country to show that people's tolerant attitudes towards HIV/AIDS and PWAs are positively related to their history of contact with HIV/AIDS and PWAs. This findings should have important implications for future educational programmes and preventative intervention.

Comparing the magnitude of discriminatory attitudes toward people living with HIV/AIDS and toward people with mental illness in the Hong Kong general population

“…Consistent with the results of different studies [17,18], respondents who were acquainted with PLWHA were more likely than others to be less discriminatory toward PLWHA. The prevalence of HIV in Hong Kong is, however, low [40].…”

“…Previous studies have identified that some background and social factors such as gender [4,13], age [4,[13][14][15], education level [4,13,15,16] and experience of personal interaction with PMI or PLWHA [17][18][19][20] were associated with discriminatory attitudes toward PMI or PLWHA, though mixed findings have been reported [21][22][23][24]. Nevertheless, there may be attitudinal factors that are only relevant to discrimination against PLWHA.…”

The Impact of Utilizing HIV-Positive Speakers in AIDS Education

“…In Zimbabwe, Pitts and Jackson (1993) found personal portrayals to be the most powerful vehicles for AIDS information. Takai et al (1998) conducted the first analytical study in Thailand to examine influences on people's attitudes to AIDS. Contact with PWHA resulted in significantly more tolerant attitudes towards HIV and PWHA because, the authors argue, people are forced to think of the issues as their own.…”

Factors Related to HIV Disclosure in 2 South African Communities

“…2 Further, in Thailand it was found that those with histories of contact with people living with HIV/AIDS were more tolerant of the disease in general as well as of those infected. 3 However, community benefits such as the reduced incidence of HIV infection and reductions in stigma and discrimination cannot be realized without disclosure by HIVpositive individuals.…”