Perceived Neighborhood Quality and HIV-related Stigma among African Diasporic Youth; Results from the African, Caribbean, and Black Youth (ACBY) Study

摘要

Socio-environmental factors such as neighborhood quality are increasingly recognized drivers of HIV disparities. Additionally, HIV-related stigma heightens HIV vulnerability among youth in the African Diaspora. However, little research examines the intersection of neighborhood quality and HIV-related stigma. This study uses survey data (N=495) from African, Caribbean, and Black youth in a midsized city in Ontario, Canada to address this research deficit. Analysis of variance and multivariate ordinary least squares regressions were conducted to determine differences in HIV-related stigma by neighborhood quality, experiences of discrimination, HIV-knowledge, and demographic factors. Residents in more socially disordered neighborhoods (p.05), males (p.0001), African-Muslim youth (p.01), and individuals with lower HIV-knowledge (p.0001) endorsed stigmatizing beliefs more often. Addressing neighborhood disadvantage may have implications for HIV-related stigma. More research should be conducted to understand the impact of socio-environmental disadvantage and HIV-related stigma.