Factors associated with negative attitudes towards PLHIVA: a nationally representative sample

Abstract

This research examined how people feel about HIV/AIDS and their reaction towards a person who tested HIV positive. The purpose of the study was to explore factors contributing to stigma associated with HIV/AIDS in Uganda. This research used quantitative methods and the data were obtained from the 2016 Uganda DHS. The dataset had 29,157 cases and variables including attitude, gender, educational level, marital status, wealth index, age groups, and religion among others. These considered a cross-sectional study design of a nationally representative sample of households by Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) in 2016. Only secondary data obtained from the 2016 Uganda demographic and household survey (UDHS) which was conducted between 15th June and 18th December 2016 Data were analyzed in STATA. Descriptive statistics included frequencies and percentages. To assess for the factors associated with negative attitudes toward PLHA, a logistic regression model was used in univariate analysis. Conclusion The study findings indicated that that age group was significantly associated with negative attitudes toward PLHA, with these negative attitudes decreasing with increasing age. It was observed individuals aged 20-24 years had about three quarters the olds of holding negative attitudes as compared to youth (15-19 years) OR=0.75; 95%CI). Education level was also found to be significantly associated with negative attitudes toward PLHA, with these negative attitudes decreasing with additional level of education. Individuals having only primary education had about 50% the olds of holding negative attitudes as compared to non-educated people OR=0.58; 95%CI). The study found out that wealth index was significantly associated with negative attitudes toward PLHA, with these negative attitudes decreasing with increasing wealth index. Individuals in the middle wealth index had about three quarters the olds of holding negative attitudes as compared to the individuals who were poorest OR=0.78; 95%CI).From the study, it was revealed that Marital status was significantly associated with negative attitudes toward PLHA, with these negative attitudes changing with a change in marital status