Addressing community-level stigma toward key populations: communication insights from action research in Ghana
| Autor: | Thad Pennas, Samuel Edem Assisi, Kwadwo Asante-Afari, Warren Parker, Saul Evans Williams, Serwaa Owusu-Ansah, Emmauel D Adiku, Joan Schubert |
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| Rok vydání: | 2020 |
| Předmět: |
Adult
Male media_common.quotation_subject Social Stigma HIV Infections Empathy Ghana Men who have sex with men Formative assessment Sexual and Gender Minorities 03 medical and health sciences 0302 clinical medicine Need to know Virology Pandemic Humans 030212 general & internal medicine Homosexuality Homosexuality Male Action research media_common Stereotyping Sex Workers 030505 public health Communication Public Health Environmental and Occupational Health virus diseases General Medicine Middle Aged Infectious Diseases Harm Female Health Services Research 0305 other medical science Psychology Social psychology |
| Zdroj: | African Journal of AIDS Research. 19:109-116 |
| ISSN: | 1727-9445 1608-5906 |
| DOI: | 10.2989/16085906.2020.1743727 |
| Popis: | Background: Global HIV response emphasises improving the uptake of HIV testing, providing access to antiretroviral therapy and sustaining viral suppression with a view to curtailing the pandemic by 2030. Stigma and discrimination impede this response by limiting engagement with the HIV continuum among sub-populations such as men who have sex with men (MSM) and female sex workers (FSW). Stigma reduction strategies that explore community-level solutions and barriers to care for these key populations are under-explored. Methods: A formative action research study was conducted in two regions of Ghana to understand community perceptions towards MSM and FSW to identify potential stigma reduction concepts. Multi-day interactive enquiries explored factors underlying stigma including rationale, personal values, perspectives on attitudinal change and related communication. Results: Rationale for stigmatisation of MSM and FSW by participants highlight religious and cultural concerns. Perceived behaviours and practices of MSM and FSW were said to undermine religious, moral and community values. Attitudes of participants towards MSM and FSW became more accepting through critical discussion that revealed contradictions within the stigma construct and discomfort with the effects of stigma. Conclusions: Participants realised that causing hurt or harm to others through stigma was not consistent with their religious and cultural values, nor how they saw themselves as people. There were four entry points that undermined the rationale for stigma: The need to know and understand 'the other', the need to be true to one's moral values, the need for empathy towards others, and recognition of the value of all people within a communal whole. These findings are relevant for engaging communities in stigma-reduction programs and improving health-seeking and adherence to care among key populations in similar African settings. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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