Perceptions of HIV-related stigma among youth exposed to the PPSAC Programme in Yaoundé, Cameroon

INTRODUCTION: HIV-related stigma continues to undermine prevention, treatment and quality of life across sub-Saharan Africa. In Cameroon, stigma persists despite community interventions. This study evaluates the impact of the PPSAC (Projet de Prévention du Sida en Afrique Centrale) project, particularly Result 3, which aims to reduce HIV stigma and discrimination among young people in Yaoundé.

METHOD: Guided by socio-cognitive theory, we employed a mixed-methods design. A total of 260 respondents completed structured online questionnaires, and 24 young people participated in three focus group discussions. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Wilson score 95% confidence intervals. Qualitative data were thematically analysed to explore attitudes, misconceptions and stigma-reduction strategies.

RESULTS: Findings indicate partial progress in acceptance. While 88.6% of respondents reported willingness to care for an HIV-positive family member and 57.2% supported HIV-positive doctors continuing to practise, only 14.7% were willing to befriend someone living with HIV and 67.8% opposed HIV-positive children attending daycare. Focus group narratives revealed persistent misconceptions about casual transmission, moral and religious condemnation, and family rejection. Conversely, supportive peer networks emerged as protective, fostering resilience and acceptance. Taken together, quantitative and qualitative findings converged to show partial progress in acceptance across several domains, while deeply rooted fears and moral judgements persist.

CONCLUSION: PPSAC interventions appear to have been only partially successful, with increased acceptance evident in some domains but persistent stigma in others. Future programmes should incorporate family- and community-level engagement, partnership with religious leaders, structural reforms in healthcare and workplaces, and sustained youth-led advocacy to promote long-term stigma reduction and improve the well-being of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).