"You're an open target to be abused": a qualitative study of stigma and HIV self-disclosure among Black men who have sex with men.

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Abstract

The HIV/AIDS epidemic is a health crisis among Black men who have sex with men (MSM). HIV-related stigma presents a primary barrier to sexual communication and effective HIV prevention. Using in-depth, qualitative interviews conducted with 20 HIV-positive Black MSM between 2007 and 2008 in Chicago, Illinois, we explored the themes related to HIV-related stigma and the underlying messages HIV-positive Black MSM receive regarding their status. Stigmatizing messages stem from family, churches, and the gay community and from negative, internalized, beliefs HIV-positive Black MSM held about infected individuals before their own infection. HIV stigma influences sexual silence around HIV disclosure, especially to sexual partners.

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Journal

Journal ID (iso-abbrev): Am J Public Health

Title: American journal of public health

ISSN (Electronic): 1541-0048

ISSN (Print): 0090-0036

Publication date (Electronic): Dec 2013

Volume: 103

Issue: 12

Affiliations

[1 ] Jason D. P. Bird is with the Department of Social Work, College of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ. Dexter R. Voisin is with the School of Social Service Administration, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, and the STI/HIV Intervention Network, Chicago.

Article

DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2013.301437

PMC ID: 3828976

PubMed ID: 24134345

SO-VID: 4a2586f2-b630-47a4-af7d-4636a5f7f798

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