Departmental Papers (ASC)
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of this Version
3-2002
Publication Source
American Journal of Public Health
Volume
92
Issue
3
Start Page
378
Last Page
381
Abstract
Objectives. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationships between stigma and shame associated with seeking treatment for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and undergoing testing for gonorrhea and HIV.
Methods. Participants were 847 males and 1126 females (mean age: 24.9 years) in 7 cities. Two scales assessed STD-related stigma and STD-related shame.
Results. Rates of stigma and shame were higher among participants without a gonorrhea test in the past year and among those without an HIV test. Sex, age, health service use, previous suspicion of gonorrhea, and low levels of stigma were independently associated with gonorrhea testing. Age, enrollment site, use of health services, gonorrhea testing, and low levels of stigma were independently associated with HIV testing.
Conclusions. Shame is part of the experience of seeking STD-related care, but stigma may be a more powerful barrier to obtaining such care.
Copyright/Permission Statement
Copyright for this article is held and maintained by the American Public Health Association, and permission is still requested for any use by third-party individuals or organizations.
Fortenberry JD, McFarlane M, Bleakley A, Bull S, Fishbein M, Grimley DM, Malotte CK, Stoner BP. Relationships of stigma and shame to gonorrhea and HIV screening. American Journal of Public Health 2002; 92(3):378-81; American Public Health Association.
The original source is found online at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1447083/
Recommended Citation
Fortenberry, D. J., McFarlane, M., Bleakley, A., Bull, S., Fishbein, M., Grimley, D. M., Malotte, K. C., & Stoner, B. P. (2002). Relationships of Stigma and Shame to Gonorrhea and HIV Screening. American Journal of Public Health, 92 (3), 378-381. Retrieved from https://repository.upenn.edu/asc_papers/686
Date Posted: 14 June 2019
This document has been peer reviewed.
Comments
At the time of publication, author Amy Bleakley was affiliated with Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health. Currently, she is a faculty member at the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania.