Socio-economic Determinants of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Awareness and Stigma of Residents in Sorsogon, Philippines

Abstract

Understanding the community’s awareness and stigma towards Human Immunoeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is key in determining effective risk reduction programs. Thus, the study determined the levels of awareness and stigma of the residents towards HIV/AIDS in the province of Sorsogon; and the relationship of the said levels with the residents’ socio-economic factors were also tested. This cross-sectional study surveyed 384 respondents determined through systematic random sampling using HIV/AIDS awareness questionnaire and Genberg et al’s Stigma and Discrimination Scale. Results revealed that the residents’ HIV/AIDS awareness and stigma is on a moderate level, which indicates of basic, but insufficient knowledge towards HIV/AIDS, as well as the continued prevalence of its related stigma. Test of correlation revealed that the residents’ level of awareness and their level of stigma towards HIV/AIDS are significantly related. Multivariate correlation test also indicated that the residents’ levels of awareness and stigma towards HIV/AIDS are significantly correlated with their socio-economic factors. Among the factors, education level and marital status displayed as the significant predictors of HIV/AIDS awareness and stigma, which means that the higher the education level and being unmarried, higher the awareness and the lower the stigma towards HIV/AIDS. Community-based awareness campaign to continuously reduce the stigma is recommended and should target the out-of-school and the less educated adults. Keywords : HIV/AIDS, awareness, stigma, socio-economic factors, Sorsogon