Empathy, Knowledge, and Personal. Distress as Correlates . of HIV-/ AIDS-Related Stigmatization and Discrimination

This study investigated the influence of empathy, knowledge, and personal distress on HIV-IAIDS-related stigmatization and discrimination in a normal population ,(N = 346). Participants ranging' in age from 18 to 69 years responded to a validated questionnaire. The results showed a significant main and joint influence of empathy, knowledge, and personal distress on stigmatization and discrimination. Stigmatization and discrimination are thus identified as great obstacles in the fight against and , prevention of HIV/AIDS. Stakeholders in the HIV/AIDS arena should embark on ;mass education to increase knowledge of HIV/AIDS; also attitudinal change programs should be initiated, while health institutions should be effectively monitored . to ensure best practices.