Risk perception and attitudes towards HIV/AID Stigma and Discrimination

Individuals accurate assessment of their risk seems to be a key factor in the adoption of a behaviour. However, the relationship between individual’s risk perception and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination is unclear. Understanding this relationship will aid in the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic. To this end, the paper attempts to examine how people’s risk perception affects their attitudes towards stigma and discrimination. The study will use data from the 2008 Ghana Demographic and Health Surveys. Logistic regression will be used to predict the relationship between HIV/AIDS risk perception and attitudes towards stigma and discrimination. Given the implementation of various HIV prevention programmes in Ghana, one would expect individuals with higher risk perception to have a more positive attitude towards people living with HIV.