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Stigma as a barrier to treatment of sexually transmitted infection in the American deep south: issues of race, gender and poverty

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  • Lichtenstein, Bronwen

Abstract

Sexually transmitted infections (STI) occur at high rates in the US compared to other Western nations. Sociocultural indicators such as race and ethnicity, lower socioeconomic status and historically higher rates of certain diseases, such as syphilis, are correlated factors but do not explain fully why STI rates are particularly high in the American Deep South. One salient factor is the stigma associated with STI and its effect on screening and treatment. This paper presents the results of six focus group interviews that were conducted among mainly African-American health workers, patients and students in Alabama, USA. The results showed that STI-related stigma directly and indirectly affected willingness to be treated for STI at public health clinics. Four dimensions of stigma emerged: (1) Religious ideation affected how health workers felt about 'promiscuous' patients (especially women), (2) privacy fears discouraged male patients from seeking treatment at local clinics, (3) racial attitudes affected willingness to be treated for STI and (4) Stigma transference (being "scarlet lettered") emerged as a potent disincentive to treatment. Partner notification was more likely if patients felt betrayed by a sexual partner. Further research is needed to clarify these stigma-related dimensions and the impact on screening, treatment and partner services.

Suggested Citation

  • Lichtenstein, Bronwen, 2003. "Stigma as a barrier to treatment of sexually transmitted infection in the American deep south: issues of race, gender and poverty," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 57(12), pages 2435-2445, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:57:y:2003:i:12:p:2435-2445
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    Cited by:

    1. Alice L. Anderson & Elizabeth Chaney, 2009. "Pubic Lice ( Pthirus pubis ): History, Biology and Treatment vs . Knowledge and Beliefs of US College Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 6(2), pages 1-9, February.
    2. Ellen F Eaton & Erika L Austin & Catherine K Dodson & Jose P Heudebert & D’Netria Jackson & Christina A Muzny, 2018. "Do young black men who have sex with men in the deep south prefer traditional over alternative STI testing?," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(12), pages 1-13, December.
    3. Golden, Annis G., 2014. "Permeability of public and private spaces in reproductive healthcare seeking: Barriers to uptake of services among low income African American women in a smaller urban setting," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 137-146.

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