Impact of mobile phones on HIV public stigma: a cross-sectional and pseudo-panel analysis from Ghana

Objective HIV-related stigma still remains a major barrier to testing and a significant burden for people living with HIV (PLWH) in sub-Saharan Africa. This paper investigates how mobile phone ownership can influence HIV-related stigma. Design This is an observational study using both cross-sectional and pseudo-panel data. Analysis is conducted at both community and individual levels. Setting The analysis is run for the country of Ghana using data from 2008 and 2014. Participants Individual-level and household-level data were obtained from Ghana's Demographic and Health Survey. Primary and secondary outcome measures The analysis measures the impact of mobile phone ownership on prejudice against people with HIV. Secondary outcomes are knowledge of HIV, which is included as a mediating element. Results Community-level analysis finds that a 10% increase in the share of mobile phone owners reduces the prevalence of discriminatory attitudes towards PLWH/AIDS by up to 3%. Results are consistent at the individual level. Additionally, mobile phone-enabled HIV knowledge is found to mediate about 26% of the effect of mobile phones on public stigma. Conclusions These findings shed light on the role played by access to mobile technology on HIV-related stigma and discrimination and can support the development of future awareness raising and health communication campaigns in Ghana and other West African countries.