HIV-Related Stigma and Knowledge in the United States: Prevalence and Trends, 19911999
Gregory M. Herek, PhD,
John P. Capitanio, PhD and
Keith F. Widaman, PhD
The authors are with the Department of Psychology, University of California at Davis.
Correspondence: Requests for reprints should be sent to Gregory M. Herek, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of California, 1 Shields Ave, Davis, CA 956168686 (e-mail: gmherek{at}ucdavis.edu).
Objectives. This study assessed the prevalence of AIDS stigmaand misinformation about HIV transmission in 1997 and 1999 andexamined trends in stigma in the United States during the 1990s.
Methods. Telephone surveys with national probability samplesof English-speaking adults were conducted in the period 1996to 1997 (n = 1309) and in 1998 to 1999 (n = 669). Findings werecompared with results from a similar 1991 survey.
Results. Overt expressions of stigma declined throughout the1990s, with support for its most extreme and coercive forms(e.g., quarantine) at very low levels by 1999. However, inaccuratebeliefs about the risks posed by casual social contact increased,as did the belief that people with AIDS (PWAs) deserve theirillness. In 1999, approximately one third of respondents expresseddiscomfort and negative feelings toward PWAs.
Conclusions. Although support for extremely punitive policiestoward PWAs has declined, AIDS remains a stigmatized conditionin the United States. The persistence of discomfort with PWAs,blame directed at PWAs for their condition, and misapprehensionsabout casual social contact are cause for continuing concernand should be addressed in HIV prevention and education programs.(Am J Public Health. 2002;92:371377)
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