TY - JOUR
T1 - Associations between social capital and HIV stigma in Chennai, India
T2 - Considerations for prevention intervention design
AU - Sivaram, Sudha
AU - Zelaya, Carla
AU - Srikrishnan, A. K.
AU - Latkin, Carl
AU - Go, V. F.
AU - Solomon, Suniti
AU - Celentano, David
PY - 2009/6/1
Y1 - 2009/6/1
N2 - Stigma against persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) is a barrier to seeking prevention education, HIV testing, and care. Social capital has been reported as an important factor influencing HIV prevention and social support upon infection. In the study, we explored the associations between social capital and stigma among men and women who are patrons of wine shops or community-based alcohol outlets in Chennai. We found that reports of social capital indicators were associated with reduced fear of transmission of HIV/AIDS, lower levels of feelings of shame, blame and judgment, lower levels of personal support and perceived community support for discriminatory actions against PLHA. Specifically, when participants reported membership in formal groups, perception of high levels of collective action toward community goals, high norms of reciprocity between neighbors and residents in daily life, and presence of trusted sexually transmitted disease care providers, all levels of measures of stigma were lower. Although we defined social capital rather narrowly in this study, our findings suggest that seeking partnerships with existing organizations and involving health care providers in future interventions may be explored as a strategy in community-based prevention interventions.
AB - Stigma against persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) is a barrier to seeking prevention education, HIV testing, and care. Social capital has been reported as an important factor influencing HIV prevention and social support upon infection. In the study, we explored the associations between social capital and stigma among men and women who are patrons of wine shops or community-based alcohol outlets in Chennai. We found that reports of social capital indicators were associated with reduced fear of transmission of HIV/AIDS, lower levels of feelings of shame, blame and judgment, lower levels of personal support and perceived community support for discriminatory actions against PLHA. Specifically, when participants reported membership in formal groups, perception of high levels of collective action toward community goals, high norms of reciprocity between neighbors and residents in daily life, and presence of trusted sexually transmitted disease care providers, all levels of measures of stigma were lower. Although we defined social capital rather narrowly in this study, our findings suggest that seeking partnerships with existing organizations and involving health care providers in future interventions may be explored as a strategy in community-based prevention interventions.
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U2 - 10.1521/aeap.2009.21.3.233
DO - 10.1521/aeap.2009.21.3.233
M3 - Article
C2 - 19519238
AN - SCOPUS:67649399389
SN - 0899-9546
VL - 21
SP - 233
EP - 250
JO - AIDS Education and Prevention
JF - AIDS Education and Prevention
IS - 3
ER -