Religiosity, Social Stigma, and Public Acceptance to People Living with HIV/AIDS among Citizens in Bandung, Indonesia

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Social stigma in the form of knowledge aspects, attitudes, or prejudices, and discriminatory behavior is a serious issue that affects people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the surrounding environment. AIM: The study aimed to determine the correlation between religiosity with social stigma and public acceptance of people living with HIV/AIDS. METHODS: This cross-sectional study applied a convenience sampling technique and involved 400 people. The subject is a citizen of the community domiciled in Bandung aged between 17 and 65 years. Instruments used included measurements of religiosity, social stigma, and public acceptance. All instruments used have been declared reliable. The data analysis used Spearman’s rank test and used frequency distribution or religiosity levels, social stigma, and public acceptance from the society. RESULTS: This study revealed that the mean overall religiosity score among the study population was 38.4 ± 5.3 (score range: 15–75). Most people’s social stigma against HIV/AIDS was high (58.7%), with a score of 80.1 ± 24.0. In addition, most of the community was less accepting of the presence of people with HIV/AIDS amid their environment (54.7%) with a score of 35.1 ± 10.2. The results showed a positively correlation between religiosity with social stigma (r = 0.325, 95% CI, p < 0.05) and religiosity with public acceptance (r = 0.506, 95% CI, p < 0.05) of people with HV/AIDS. CONCLUSIONS: Person’s level of religiosity determines a social stigma against people with HIV/AIDS, and then, this will determine acceptance of people with HIV/AIDS in the community. The data from this study can be used as basic information to develop strategies to reduce stigma by creating awareness and increasing community acceptance of people with HIV/AIDS.