Leiden University Student Repository

Lageman, Kaat (2023)

Social conservatism, sexuality, and stigma: The effect of a socially conservative government on HIV-testing

Bachelor thesis | Politicologie (BSc)

The global HIV/AIDS response has been under threat. Progress has been faltering and resources have been shrinking due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. HIV-testing is the first step in fighting the AIDS epidemic and governments play a large role here. This study tests with a linear regression whether a socially conservative government influences HIV-testing rates, controlling for GDP, state religion, region, HIV-prevalence, and democracy. The results find that having a socially conservative government has a negative effect on HIV-testing rates. A case study of Brazil corroborates this finding and shows that the socially conservative government has lowered demand for HIV-testing by reinforcing HIV-related stigma and discrimination. It is concluded that to end the AIDS epidemic we need to tackle the inequalities that perpetuate it. This thesis finishes by making recommendations such as the use of self-tests and community-led testing to reduce stigma.

HIV-testing

socially conservative government

stigma.

Author

Lageman, Kaat

Faculty

Faculty of Social & Behavioural Sciences

Specialisation

International Relations & Organisations

Supervisors

Phillips, J.

ECTS Credits

20

Language

en