Socio-economic and demographic factors associated with level of stigma towards people living with HIV/AIDS in Botswana

Nametso Maswabi, University of Botswana
Enock Ngome, University of Botswana

Background: HIV/AIDS remains a health challenge in Botswana. One of the HIV prevention strategies is to reduce stigma towards people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). The objective of this study is to investigate the socioeconomic and demographic factors associated with stigmatization of PLWHA in Botswana. Methods: The data source for this study is the fourth Botswana AIDS Impact Survey (BAIS IV). The sample constituted of 7099 respondents aged 15-64 years. The main outcome for the study is the level of stigma. Results: Almost two thirds of respondents had some form of stigma towards PLWHA (64.5%). Respondents with no knowledge about HIV/AIDS were more likely to have high stigma as compared to those with comprehensive HIV/AIDS knowledge (OR, 30.9). Conclusions and Policy Implications: Results show that the level of HIV/AIDS knowledge was the most influential factor associated with stigmatization towards PLWHA. HIV/AIDS knowledge should be intensified to reduce the level of stigma.