Description:
This data set contains the responses from a purposive sample of 10 473 respondents who were all living with HIV and who were older than 15 years linked to either an organisation for PLHIV or attending health facilities and NGOs for the purposes of accessing support or care related to HIV and AIDS, with the purpose to measure self-reported stigma and discrimination experienced by PLHIV nationally.
The data set for dissemination contains 377 variables and 10 473 cases which represented 100% response rate.
Abstract:
The People Living with HIV (PLHIV) Stigma Index is a joint initiative of several organizations who have worked together since 2005 to develop this survey. These include the Global Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (GNP+),the International Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS (ICW),the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) and UNAIDS.
To date, nearly 50 countries from all parts of the world have undertaken national surveys using the People Living with HIV Stigma Index (see The People Living with HIV Stigma Index, 2012). Three NGOs belonging to the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) PLHIV sector, namely, the National Association of People Living with HIV and AIDS (NAPWA), the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), and the Positive Women's Network, together with the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC); and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), and the SANAC Secretariat undertook this, the first National Stigma Index among PLHIV in 18 districts across South Africa (two per province) over 13 weeks (starting from the 2nd week of September 2014 until the 2nd week of December 2014).
The purpose of the PLHIV Stigma Index survey was to measure self-reported stigma and discrimination experienced by PLHIV nationally and ultimately to also inform the development and implementation of national policies and programmes that protect the rights of PLHIV. The process involved PLHIV interviewing other PLHIV regarding experiences of stigma and discrimination. This process is not only an integral part of the Stigma Index but also meant to be an empowering one for PLHIV. TB-related stigma was also investigated in this study.
The study reported that significant minorities of PLHIV have experienced physical violence, exclusion from family activities, denial of health care, or lost their jobs or income because of their HIV status. In addition, PLHIV also have internalised HIV and AIDS stigma with many of them reporting that they feel ashamed of being HIV-positive.
Various recommendations were made in terms of interventions to reduce some of the stigma and discrimination found among PLHIV in South Africa. These recommendations focused on the Intra-personal, Inter-personal and social level. In addition recommendations were directed at both structural and sector-based interventions.
Face-to-face interview
The study used purposive sampling to involve PLHIV aged 15 years and older. All respondents were linked to an organisation for PLHIV or attending health facilities and NGOs for the purpose of accessing support or care related to HIV.
The study used purposive sampling to involve PLHIV aged 15 years and older. All respondents were linked to an organisation for PLHIV or attending health facilities and NGOs for the purpose of accessing support or care related to HIV.
A sample of 10 473 respondents, all of whom self-reported a HIV-positive status was achieved.
