Religious affiliation and AIDS-based discrimination in Sub-Saharan Africa

Type Journal Article - Review of religious research
Title Religious affiliation and AIDS-based discrimination in Sub-Saharan Africa
Author(s)
Volume 48
Issue 4
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2007
Page numbers 385-401
URL http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/20447458?uid=3739464&uid=2&uid=3737720&uid=4&sid=55936050993
Abstract
Considerable stigma is attached to HIV/AIDS in various parts of sub-Saharan Africa, in spite of high seroprevalence rates. Stigma, in turn, often fosters discriminatory actions toward HIV-positive persons. Some of the blame for perpetuating stigma and failing to curb discrimination continues to fall upon organized religion (Christianity and Islam), which remains a central institution in many Africans' lives and tends to advocate sexual conservatism. However, little systematic empirical evidence exists to support the suggestion that religion breeds discrimination and stigma about HIV/AIDS. Drawing upon Demographic and Health Survey data from six sub-Saharan countries with elevated HIV infection rates, we evaluate the effect of religious affiliation on different forms of AIDS-based discrimination, paying close attention to possible confounding effects. In most analyses, religious affiliation is unrelated to discriminating against persons-with-AIDS after accounting for ethnicity--a far more robust predictor of discrimination than is religion. Where affiliation does remain significant, Muslims and people who practice other non-Christian religious traditions tend to report more discriminatory attitudes.

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