A model for understanding the relationship between stigma and healthcare-seeking behaviour among people living with HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa

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Periodical article

Title:	A model for understanding the relationship between stigma and healthcare-seeking behaviour among people living with HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors:	Mbonu, Ngozi C. Borne, Bart van den Vries, Nanne K. de
Year:	2009
Periodical:	African Journal of AIDS Research
Volume:	8
Issue:	2
Pages:	201-212
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Subsaharan Africa
Subjects:	AIDS stereotypes health care
External link:	https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.2989/AJAR.2009.8.2.8.860
Abstract:	People living with HIV or AIDS (PLHIV) in sub-Saharan Africa sometimes have care-seeking behaviours that result in a suboptimal quality of life. The authors examine the role of stigma in the care-seeking behaviour of PLHIV. They hypothesize that stigma relates to the behaviour of PLHIV themselves and with societal reactions, including those of health care professionals. From a literature review, they identify the following as important correlates of care-seeking behaviour: beliefs about pathways of HIV infection and people infected with HIV, social reactions, coping strategies, knowledge of HIV and AIDS, and self-efficacy in finding care and treatment in addition to coping with the disease. Poverty, gender, age, religion and policy are found to be moderating variables. The Precede-Proceed model was adapted to build an explanatory model of health care-seeking behaviour among PLHIV and particularly to explore the role of stigma in the non-utilization of health care institutions. Bibliogr., sum. [Journal abstract]