AIDS STIGMA IN SINGAPORE : APPROACHES TO CHANGE

Abstract

This study addressed how AIDS stigma in Singapore can be changed, as the stigma had negative consequences on persons with AIDS (PWAs). Participants who held either the instrumental, symbolic or mixed attitudes participated in the two-session study. Intervention methods were introduced to change the stigma. These included non-anonymous and anonymous video interviews with a 'PWA' and an information video about AIDS transmission. It was hypothesized that both methods would be effective. In particular, the information video would be most effective on participants with instrumental attitudes; the video interviews, particularly the non-anonymous interview video would be most effective for participants with symbolic attitudes and a mixture of information video and non-anonymous video interview would be most effective on those with mixed attitudes. Results indicated that the information video was effective, particularly on participants with the instrumental and mixed attitudes. The interview videos were not as effective as hypothesized. Further evaluations of the intervention methods and wider implications of the results were discussed.