Will We Get to Zero HIV Stigma in San Francisco?

AIDS Behav. 2020 Jan;24(1):5-7. doi: 10.1007/s10461-019-02434-7.

Abstract

Cities worldwide are striving to get to zero HIV stigma as a condition to get to zero new infections. We tracked an indicator of perceived HIV stigma across surveys of men who have sex with men (MSM) in San Francisco from 2011 to 2017. Little improvement in perceived HIV stigma was observed, from 22.3% (95% CI 18.7-26.3) of MSM agreeing with the statement "Most people would discriminate against someone with HIV" in 2011 to 21.0% (95% CI 17.5-24.9) in 2017 (χ2 test for trend 0.252, p = 0.616). Success in ending the epidemic may flag without addressing the causes of HIV stigma.

Keywords: HIV stigma; Men who have sex with men; San Francisco.

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / epidemiology*
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / prevention & control
  • Adult
  • Epidemics
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control
  • HIV Infections / psychology*
  • Homosexuality, Male / psychology
  • Homosexuality, Male / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prejudice*
  • Prevalence
  • San Francisco / epidemiology
  • Social Stigma*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires