The association of layered stigma and sympathy toward persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Puerto Rico

To assess the levels of sympathy expressed toward various persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) associated with different target groups and to identify the factors associated with sympathy expressed toward various types of PLWHA. Data were collected from 832 HIV-negative female residents of public housing in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Less sympathy was expressed toward drug-using PLWHA when compared to normative contracted cases of HIV/AIDS. They also expressed less sympathy for drug-using PLWHA when compared to non-normative cases of HIV/AIDS. There was no difference in the level of sympathy expressed toward normative compared to non-normative cases of HIV/AIDS. Those respondents who reported knowing a friend or family member living with HIV/AIDS, those who reported being very spiritual, and those with post-high-school education, were more likely to express sympathy toward PLWHA. Findings of these analyses were not consistent with previous research with respect to varying level of negative attitudes toward PLWHA. The findings are important because they shed light on the varying negative attitudes towards PLWHA. As such, messages and interventions must be cognizant of the cultural contexts in which PLWHA live when developing anti-HIV stigma programs and not just the at-risk groups with which the PLWHA are associated.   Key words: HIV/AIDS, persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), layered stigma, Puerto Rico.