The effect of stigma on HIV and AIDS testing uptake among pregnant women in Limpopo

Abstract

In this study, the researcher aimed to establish whether HIV/AIDS-related stigmas (enacted + internal) have an impact on disposition for HIV/AIDS testing uptake among pregnant women in the Limpopo Province. A total of 457 pregnant women participated for the quantitative aspects, while 40 of the 457 participated in the qualitative aspects of this study. The multiple regression analysis method was used to analyze the relationship between levels of HIV/AIDS related stigmas (enacted + internal) and pregnant women‟s decision to dispose themselves for HIV/AIDS testing uptake. Further open-ended questions were content analyzed and presented in frequency tables. The multiple regression analysis indicated that internal stigma was a significant factor negatively affecting pregnant women‟s disposition for HIV/AIDS testing uptake. External stigma was not a significant factor. Internal stigma accounted for (R-Square= 0.03) 3.0% of the variance. Qualitative, Psychosocial factors (i.e. fear of stigma, fear of being discriminated and lack of confidentiality over test results, as well lack of family and partner support) emerged to be common factors indicated by pregnant women to negatively influence some of the pregnant women‟s disposition for HIV/AIDS testing uptake. It is recommended that intensive individual counseling sessions aimed at addressing the effect of internal stigma on HIV-testing, be integrated with existing PMTCT programmes. The involvement of partners, families, and communities in programmes that address HIV/AIDS-related stigma is of paramount importance.