Stigma can take many forms, from abuse of people with HIV, to denial of services, to routine practices that inadvertently marginalize people who are suspected to be HIV-positive. Stigma about HIV and AIDS exists at the level of individuals, institutions, and in the government. In many instances, people are unaware of their stigmatizing actions or beliefs and of the powerful negative impact they have. Confronting stigma and discrimination is critical to effective HIV prevention efforts and reducing the impact of the disease on communities, families, and individuals.
Population Council focus
Council research has shown that it is possible to measure stigma and to develop effective programs to reduce it. Researchers have worked on developing measures and indicators, testing stigma-reduction strategies in different settings, and developing programs to bring about changes in attitudes and actions toward people living with HIV.
Population Council impact
- Council researchers collaborated with other members of the USAID-convened Stigma and Discrimination Indicators Working Group to develop quantitative measures of stigma and incorporated these measures and instruments into studies in different settings.
- The Council’s participatory programs in India and Vietnam targeting hospital-based stigma and discrimination catalyzed policy changes, reforms in patient treatment, and measurable reductions in stigmatizing behaviors on the part of hospital workers toward patients living with HIV and AIDS.
- Council research in Mombasa, Kenya, highlighted the ways in which traditional family values, stereotypes of abnormality, gender norms, culture, and religion influence stigma and discrimination faced by men who have sex with men. Findings are guiding the development of peer education programs and sensitization of health providers to address unmet HIV prevention needs.
- An intervention study conducted by the Council in Zambia demonstrated that trained youth caregivers were able to meet a range of needs of people living with HIV and that their efforts contributed to decreased isolation and stigmatization of AIDS-affected families.
Future directions
Council researchers are addressing stigma and discrimination in a variety of programs targeting most-at-risk populations. This includes the Men’s Health Network Nigeria, which seeks to use social networking approaches to reach at-risk men with health services.
Projects
Men’s Health Network Nigeria: Providing Appropriate and Comprehensive Sexual Health and HIV Prevention Services (more)
The Men’s Health Network Nigeria seeks to ensure that all men in Nigeria receive appropriate, comprehensive sexual health and HIV prevention services and targets populations considered most at risk.
(10/2008 - 10/2013)
Nigeria
Addressing the HIV/AIDS Vulnerabilities and Stigma of Africa’s Youth (more)
Council research will provide a comprehensive, evidence-based picture of the HIV-related issues facing young people in Africa and the prevailing legal, policy, and programmatic responses.
(8/2011 - 5/2012)
Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Uganda
Empowering Indigenous Women in Guatemala to Advocate for Maternal Health Rights (more)
This project strengthened the capacity of indigenous women's advocacy groups to promote their right to culturally appropriate maternal health services in Guatemala.
(9/2009 - 11/2011)
Guatemala
Sexual and Reproductive Health Needs of Women Living with HIV in Mexico (more)
The Population Council conducted a qualitative study among HIV-infected women and their health care providers in Mexico.
(1/2008 - 6/2009)
Mexico
Resources
"Addressing HIV among the most at-risk populations," fact sheet (PDF)
Population Council
Publication date: 2012
"The Population Council's HIV and AIDS program," fact sheet (PDF)
Population Council
Publication date: 2012
A decade of research involving men who have sex with men in sub-Saharan Africa: Current knowledge and future directions (abstract) (PDF)
Muraguri,Nicholas; Temmerman,Marleen; Geibel,Scott
Journal of Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS 9(3): 137-147
Publication date: 2012
Evidence for action: News from the Population Council in Nigeria (PDF)
Issue no. 2, September
Publication date: 2012
Evidence for action: Quarterly newsletter of the Population Council, Nigeria (PDF)
Issue no. 1, April
Publication date: 2012
Getting real with youth-friendly services in Africa: Report of a satellite session at the XIX International AIDS Conference (PDF)
Population Council Nigeria
Publication date: 2012
Reducing HIV-related stigma (PDF)
Population Briefs 17(1)
Publication date: 2011
Use of AUDIT, and measures of drinking frequency and patterns to detect associations between alcohol and sexual behaviour in male sex workers in Kenya (abstract) (PDF)
Luchters,Stanley; Geibel,Scott; Syengo,Masila; Lang'o,Daniel; King'ola,Nzioki; Temmerman,Marleen; Chersich,Matthew F.
BMC Public Health 11: 384-
Publication date: 2011
APHIA II Operations Research Project in Kenya Newsletter, December 2010 (PDF)
Publication date: 2010
HIV/AIDS bishoyok apobad o boishyammo hraskaran proshikkhon manual (Training manual for reducing HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination)
Publication date: 2010
Looking back, moving forward: Reducing HIV-related stigma, Horizons studies 2000 to 2007 (PDF)
Pulerwitz,Julie; Michaelis,Annie P.; Weiss,Ellen; Brown,Lisanne; Mahendra,Vaishali Sharma
Horizons Synthesis Background Papers
Publication date: 2010
Perceived stigma among patients receiving antiretroviral treatment: A prospective randomised trial comparing an m-DOT strategy with standard-of-care in Kenya (abstract)
Kaai,Susan; Bullock,Sandra; Sarna,Avina; Chersich,Matthew F.; Luchters,Stanley; Geibel,Scott; Munyao,Paul; Mandaliya,Kishorchandra N.; Temmerman,Marleen; Rutenberg,Naomi
Journal of Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS 7(2): 62-70
Publication date: 2010
Reducing HIV-related stigma: Lessons learned from Horizons research and programs (abstract)
Pulerwitz,Julie; Michaelis,Annie P.; Weiss,Ellen; Brown,Lisanne; Mahendra,Vaishali Sharma
Public Health Reports 125(2): 272-281
Publication date: 2010
Health-seeking behavior and access to HIV treatment amongst migrants in the inner city of Johannesburg, South Africa (PDF)
Brochure
Publication date: 2009
Needs assessment of marginalised, socially excluded immigrant populations in Johannesburg, South Africa (PDF)
Research summary
Publication date: 2009
Social context, sexual risk perceptions and stigma: HIV vulnerability among male sex workers in Mombasa, Kenya (abstract)
Okal,Jerry; Luchters,Stanley; Geibel,Scott; Chersich,Matthew F.; Lango,Daniel; Temmerman,Marleen
Culture, Health and Sexuality 11(8): 811-826
Publication date: 2009
Strengthening sexual and reproductive health and rights services for migrants in inner city, Johannesburg, South Africa (PDF)
Project summary
Publication date: 2009
Moving forward: Tackling stigma in a Tanzanian community
(PDF)
Nyblade,Laura; MacQuarrie,Kerry; Kwesigabo,Gideon; Jain,Aparna; Kajula,Lusajo; Philip,Fausta; Tibesigwa,William Henerico; Mbwambo,Jessie K.
Horizons Final Report
Publication date: 2008
Propiciando cambio personal y social alrededor del género, sexualidad y VIH: Evaluación de impacto de la estrategia de comunicación de Puntos de Encuentro en Nicaragua [
Catalyzing personal and social change around gender, sexuality, and HIV: Impact evaluation of Puntos de Encuentro´s communication strategy in Nicaragua] (PDF)
Solorzano,Irela; Bank,Amy; Pena,Rodolfo; Espinoza,Henry; Ellsberg,Mary; Pulerwitz,Julie
Horizons Final Report
Publication date: 2008
An assessment of the Positive Partnership Project in Thailand: Key considerations for scaling-up microcredit loans for HIV-positive and negative pairs in other settings (abstract)
Viravaidya,Mechai; Wolf,R.C.; Guest,Philip
Global Public Health 3(2): 115-136
Publication date: 2008
Catalyzing personal and social change around gender, sexuality, and HIV: Impact evaluation of Puntos de Encuentro´s communication strategy in Nicaragua (PDF)
Solorzano,Irela; Bank,Amy; Pena,Rodolfo; Espinoza,Henry; Ellsberg,Mary; Pulerwitz,Julie
Horizons Final Report
Publication date: 2008
Factors associated with self-reported unprotected anal sex among male sex workers in Mombasa, Kenya (abstract)
Geibel,Scott; Luchters,Stanley; King'ola,Nzioki; Esu-Williams,Eka; Rinyiru,Agnes; Tun,Waimar
Sexually Transmitted Diseases 35(8): 746-752
Publication date: 2008
Gender and HIV: Reflecting back, moving forward
Gupta,Geeta Rao; Weiss,Ellen; Pope,Cynthia; White,Renee T.; Malow,Robert
from HIV/AIDS: Global Frontiers in Prevention/Intervention
Publication date: 2008
HIV-related stigma, service utilization, and status disclosure among truck drivers crossing the Southern borders in Brazil (abstract)
Pulerwitz,Julie; Michaelis,Annie P.; Lippman,Sheri A.; Chinaglia,Magda; Diaz,Juan
AIDS Care 20(7): 764-770
Publication date: 2008
Improving hospital-based quality of care in Vietnam by reducing HIV-related stigma and discrimination (PDF)
Khuat Thi Hai Oanh; Ashburn,Kim; Pulerwitz,Julie; Ogden,Jessica; Nyblade,Laura
Horizons Final Report
Publication date: 2008
Safe and Friendly Health Facility: Trainer's Guide (PDF)
Khuat Thi Hai Oanh; Pham Duc Muc; Kidd,Ross
Publication date: 2008
Sexual risk behaviours and HIV seroprevalence among male sex workers who have sex with men and non-sex workers in Campinas, Brazil (abstract)
Tun,Waimar; de Mello,Maeve; Pinho,Adriana A.; Chinaglia,Magda; Diaz,Juan
Sexually Transmitted Infections 84(6): 455-457
Publication date: 2008
The HIV testing experiences of adolescents in Ndola, Zambia: Do families and friends matter? (abstract)
Denison,Julie; McCauley,Ann P.; Dunnett-Dagg,Wendy A.; Lungu,Nalakwanji; Sweat,Michael D.
AIDS Care 20(1): 101-105
Publication date: 2008
Changes in stigma among a cohort of people on antiretroviral therapy: Findings from Mombasa, Kenya (PDF)
Kaai,Susan; Sarna,Avina; Luchters,Stanley; Geibel,Scott; Munyao,Paul; Mandaliya,Kishorchandra N.; Shikely,Khadija; Temmerman,Marleen; Rutenberg,Naomi
Horizons Research Summary
Publication date: 2007
Meeting the sexual and reproductive health needs of people living with HIV: Challenges for health care providers (abstract)
Bharat,Shalini; Mahendra,Vaishali Sharma
Reproductive Health Matters 15(29, suppl 1): 93-112
Publication date: 2007
Reaching truckers in Brazil with non-stigmatizing and effective HIV/STI services (PDF)
Chinaglia,Magda; Lippman,Sheri A.; Pulerwitz,Julie; de Mello,Maeve; Homan,Rick; Diaz,Juan
Horizons Final Report
Publication date: 2007
Reaching truckers in Brazil with non-stigmatizing and effective HIV/STI services (PDF)
Chinaglia,Magda; Lippman,Sheri A.; Pulerwitz,Julie; de Mello,Maeve; Homan,Rick; Diaz,Juan
Horizons Research Summary
Publication date: 2007
Understanding and measuring AIDS-related stigma in health care settings: A developing country perspective (abstract)
Mahendra,Vaishali Sharma; Gilborn,Laelia; Bharat,Shalini; Mudoi,Rupa; Gupta,Indrani; George,Bitra; Samson,Luke; Daly,Celine; Pulerwitz,Julie
Journal of Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS 4(2): 616-625
Publication date: 2007
Reducing AIDS-related stigma and discrimination in Indian hospitals (PDF)
Mahendra,Vaishali Sharma; Gilborn,Laelia; George,Bitra; Samson,Luke; Mudoi,Rupa; Jadav,Sarita; Gupta,Indrani; Bharat,Shalini; Daly,Celine
Horizons Final Report
Publication date: 2006
Reducing stigma and discrimination in hospitals: Positive findings from India (PDF)
Mahendra,Vaishali Sharma; Gilborn,Laelia; George,Bitra; Samson,Luke; Mudoi,Rupa; Jadav,Sarita; Gupta,Indrani; Bharat,Shalini; Daly,Celine
Horizons Research Summary
Publication date: 2006
Stigma, discrimination and violence against female sex workers and men who have sex with men in Andhra Pradesh, India (PDF)
Samuels,Fiona; Verma,Ravi K.; George,C.K.; van der Kwaak,Anke; Wegelin-Schuringa,Madeleen; Cummings,Sarah; van Dam,Henk; Valk,Minke
Gender, Society & Development book series, pp. 95-109
Publication date: 2006
Strengthening care and support services in the era of treatment: Symposium report, 22-23 November 2005, Johannesburg, South Africa (PDF)
Horizons Program
Horizons Symposium Report
Publication date: 2006
Understanding the HIV/STI prevention needs of men who have sex with men in Kenya (PDF)
Onyango-Ouma,Washington; Birungi,Harriet; Geibel,Scott
Horizons Research Summary
Publication date: 2006
Reducing stigma through care and support
Schenk,Katie D.; Perkins,Nick; Mulyanga,Sam
from My Right to Belong: Stories of Stigma Reduction Efforts Across Africa
Publication date: 2005
Tackling stigma and discrimination surrounding HIV/AIDS (PDF)
Population Council Annual Report 2004
Publication date: 2005
Expanding care and support in South India: Scaling up YRG CARE's patient-centered approach (PDF)
YRG CARE; Horizons Program; International HIV/AIDS Alliance
Horizons Final Report
Publication date: 2004
Involving young people in the care and support of people living with HIV/AIDS in Zambia (PDF)
Esu-Williams,Eka; Schenk,Katie D.; Motsepe,Joseph; Geibel,Scott; Zulu,Anderson
Horizons Final Report
Publication date: 2004
PLWHA-friendly hospitals in India: Reducing AIDS-related stigma and discrimination (HTML)
Mahendra,Vaishali Sharma; Gilborn,Laelia
Sexual Health Exchange 2
Publication date: 2004
Promoting young people's sexual and reproductive health: Stigma, discrimination and human rights (PDF)
Wood,Kate; Aggleton,Peter
Publication date: 2004
Tackling stigma and discrimination surrounding HIV/AIDS [Arabic] (PDF)
Population Council Annual Report 2004
Publication date: 2004
The affordability and appropriateness of an integrated care and support model to meet the needs of people living with HIV/AIDS
Horizons Report
Publication date: 2004
Using incentives to encourage AIDS programs and policies in the workplace: A study of feasibility and impact in Thailand (PDF)
Baker,Simon; Sartsara,Srisuman; Rumakom,Patchara; Guest,Philip; Schenk,Katie D.; Pramualratana,Anthony; Suksakulwat,Suparat; Panakitsuwan,Surachai; Moonmeung,Sikarat
Horizons Final Report
Publication date: 2004
HIV and AIDS-related stigma and discrimination: A conceptual framework and implications for action (abstract)
Parker,Richard; Aggleton,Peter
Social Science and Medicine 57(1): 13-24
Publication date: 2003
Interventions to reduce HIV/AIDS stigma: What have we learned? (abstract)
Brown,Lisanne; Macintyre,Kate; Trujillo,Lea
AIDS Education and Prevention 15(1): 49-69
Publication date: 2003
Involving youth in the care and support of people affected by HIV and AIDS (PDF)
Esu-Williams,Eka; Geibel,Scott; Motsepe,Joseph; Schenk,Katie D.; Zulu,Moses; Bweupe,Petronella
Horizons Research Summary
Publication date: 2003
'It's raining stones': Stigma, violence and HIV vulnerability among men who have sex with men in Dakar, Senegal (abstract)
Niang,Cheikh Ibrahima; Tapsoba,Placide; Weiss,Ellen; Diagne,Moustapha; Niang,Youssoupha; Moreau,Amadou; Gomis,Dominique; Wade,Abdoulaye Sidibe; Seck,Karim; Castle,Christopher
Culture, Health and Sexuality 5(6): 499-512
Publication date: 2003
Participation accrue des personnes vivant avec le VIH/SIDA aux activités des ONG de Lutte Contre le SIDA (PDF)
Horizons Research Summary
Publication date: 2003
The PLHA-friendly achievement checklist: A self-assessment tool for hospitals and other medical institutions caring for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) (PDF)
Horizons Program; SHARAN
Publication date: 2003
Vers une participation accrue des PVVIH au Burkina Faso (PDF)
Horizons Résumé de la Recherche
Publication date: 2003
YRG CARE base model report: Integrated prevention, care, and support services (PDF)
Castle,Christopher
Horizons Project Report
Publication date: 2003
Assessing progress to foster greater PLHA involvement in Burkina Faso
Horizons Research Summary
Publication date: 2002
Greater involvement of PLHA In NGO service delivery: Findings from a four-country study (PDF)
Horizons Research Summary
Publication date: 2002
HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination: A conceptual framework and an agenda for action (PDF)
Parker,Richard; Aggleton,Peter; Attawell,Kathy; Pulerwitz,Julie; Brown,Lisanne
Horizons Report
Publication date: 2002
HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination: A conceptual framework and an agenda for action [Arabic] (PDF)
Parker,Richard; Aggleton,Peter; Attawell,Kathy; Pulerwitz,Julie; Brown,Lisanne
Horizons Report
Publication date: 2002
Informed consent: From good intentions to sound practices--A report of a seminar (PDF)
Wood,Susan Y.; Friedland,Barbara A.; McGrory,C.Elizabeth
Robert H. Ebert Program on Critical Issues in Reproductive Health Publication Series
Publication date: 2002
Meeting the sexual health needs of men who have sex with men in Senegal (PDF)
Niang,Cheikh Ibrahima; Diagne,Moustapha; Niang,Youssoupha; Moreau,Amadou; Gomis,Dominique; Diouf,Maye; Seck,Karim; Wade,Abdoulaye Sidibe; Tapsoba,Placide; Castle,Christopher
Horizons Final Report
Publication date: 2002
Meeting the sexual health needs of men who have sex with men in Senegal (PDF)
Horizons Research Summary
Publication date: 2002
Microfinance and households coping with HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe: An exploratory study (PDF)
Horizons Research Summary
Publication date: 2002
Satisfaire aux besoins de santé des hommes qui ont des rapports sexuels avec d'autres hommes au Sénégal (PDF)
Niang,Cheikh Ibrahima; Diagne,Moustapha; Niang,Youssoupha; Moreau,Amadou; Gomis,Dominique; Diouf,Maye; Seck,Karim; Wade,Abdoulaye Sidibe; Tapsoba,Placide; Castle,Christopher
Horizons Final Report
Publication date: 2002
Satisfaire les besoins de santé des hommes qui ont des rapports sexuels avec d'Autres hommes au Sénégal (PDF)
Horizons Resume de Recherche
Publication date: 2002
The involvement of people living with HIV/AIDS in the delivery of community-based prevention, care, and support services in Maharashtra, India
Cornu,Christophe; Dua,Rajiv; Attawell,Kathy; Mahendra,Vaishali Sharma; Nadkarni,Vimla V.
Publication date: 2002
Tools and training strengthen African AIDS groups (PDF)
Population Briefs, Spring 2002 (HIV/AIDS edition)
Publication date: 2002
Interventions to reduce HIV/AIDS stigma: What have we learned? (PDF)
Brown,Lisanne; Trujillo,Lea; Macintyre,Kate
Horizons Report
Publication date: 2001
Prevention of trafficking and the care and support of trafficked persons in the context of an emerging HIV/AIDS epidemic in Nepal (PDF)
Daly,Celine
Horizons Final Report
Publication date: 2001
Trafficking and human rights in Nepal: Community perceptions and policy and program responses (PDF)
Daly,Celine; Mahendra,Vaishali Sharma; Bhattarai,Pankaja; Langton,Nick; Sanghera,Jyoti; Evans,Catrin; Kapur,Ratna; Dahal,Dill Ram; Crowley,Siobhan
Horizons Research Summary
Publication date: 2001
Literature review: Challenging HIV-related stigma and discrimination in Southeast Asia: Past successes and future priorities (PDF)
Busza,Joanna
Horizons Report
Publication date: 1999
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