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HIV/AIDS- related stigma and testing behavior among Nigerian college students
Methods: Cross-sectional data were collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire among 226 Nigerian college students (mean age 24.4 years). Descriptive statistics, bivariate and logistic regression analyses were carried out to analyze the study data using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for windows version 20.
Results: About 76% of the participants had not tested for HIV. Endorsement of HIV/AIDS-related stigma was negatively associated with HIV testing. Students who had not tested for HIV exhibited significantly greater stigmatizing attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS. A relatively higher percentage (61%) of the respondents had stigma scores above the mean stigma score, indicating endorsement of HIV/AIDS-related stigma among the study participants. Specific analyses of the stigma items showed that HIV testing behavior was significantly associated with perception that people living with HIV/AIDS experience discrimination.
Conclusion: Findings of this study underscore the need for strategic interventions aimed at reducing the level of anticipated HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination among Nigerian college students who had not tested for HIV.
Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health educationDiversity and culture
Epidemiology
Other professions or practice related to public health
Public health or related education
Social and behavioral sciences
Learning Objectives:
Assess association between HIV/AIDS-related stigma and testing behavior among a sample of Nigerian college students.
Keyword(s): HIV/AIDS, Behavioral Research
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I teach epidemiology and health biostatistics. My research interests focus on social and behavioral epidemiology.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.