Determinants of HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination among adolescents in Ghana

Using data from the 2008 Ghana Demographic and Health survey, this paper attempts to understand the determinants of HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination among adolescents in Ghana. Logistic regression is used to examine the determinants of adolescents’ attitudes towards HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination. Two logistic regression estimates are used to predict the relationship between the explanatory variables – age, sex, level of education, wealth index, residence, region and risky sexual behaviour and the outcome variables - HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination and among adolescents in Ghana. There results of the study reveal that there is a direct and significant relationship between age and adolescents’ willingness to care for persons living with AIDS. Also, there was a significant and direct relationship between condom use at first sex and willingness to care. However, the relationship between female adolescents’ and their attitude towards a female teacher with AIDS to continue teaching; though direct was not significant. Also, there was a direct and significant relationship between sexual activity and acceptance that teachers with AIDS could continue teaching. To reduce stigma and discrimination among adolescents in Ghana, efforts should be made to intensify the educational campaigns through the mass media and other educational