HIV-related stigma experienced by people living with HIV/AIDS in coastal South India

Abstract

Introduction: The present study assessed the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related stigma and the factors influencing it among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) in tertiary care hospitals at Mangalore, South India. Stigma related to HIV still persists as a major public health issue globally and varies from person to person. The various forms of HIV-related stigma are personalized stigma, disclosure stigma, negative self-image stigma, and public attitude stigma. Material and methods: In this cross-sectional study, 409 PLHIV aged ≥ 18 years were interviewed from April 2014 to April 2015. HIV-related stigma was assessed using the "revised HIV stigma scale". Socio-demographic characteristics and factors affecting HIV stigma were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. The association between various domains of HIV-related stigma with socio-demographic characteristics was assessed using one way ANOVA (analysis of variance) and student t-test. P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: Among the HIV-related stigma domains, disclosure and public attitudes stigma showed higher mean scores followed by negative self-image stigma. Personalized stigma domain showed the least scores in our study. Our study identified that HIV-related stigma was higher among males, older participants, those who were married, of a higher socioeconomic status, on a longer duration of antiretroviral therapy (ART), and participants who had travelled more distance to procure ART. Conclussions: Counseling PLHIV and educating care givers and the community is essential for tackling stigmatization among PLHIV. Mitigating stigma through multi-dimensional intervention strategies is crucial to overcome stigma associated with HIV/AIDS.

Social stigma, discrimination, and their determinants among people living with HIV and AIDS in Sudurpashchim Province, Nepal

“…Specifically, women living with HIV may be more susceptible to HIV discrimination as a result of being subjected to gender, caste discrimination, and having fewer economic resources. This finding is in line with another outcome revealing that discrimination was higher among women as homemakers, who were generally confined to their homes [21,24]. Education was associated with discrimination, this is consistent with previous studies among PLWHA [22,24,26], in which high education level and financial difficulties were associated with greater perceived discrimination.…”

“…The findings revealed that age, gender, marital status, occupation, public health concerns, and negative self-image were statistically significant in overall stigma (p < 0.05). In the multivariate logistic regres- vents HIV interventions as most of HIV interventions target younger groups considered to be at higher risk [21,23,24]. The feeling of guilt and low self-esteem among PLWHA as they grow old, isolation from families and communities increase the risk of getting stigmatized [24].…”

“…In addition, this study demonstrated evidence of workplace stigma in the context of HIV, as stigma was higher among PLWHA whose occupation was service. Studies had confirmed that workplace employees face HIV/AIDS-related stigma from their co-workers and supervisors (such as social isolation and ridicule), or experience discriminatory practices (e.g., being fired from their jobs due to HIV-positive status) [4,21,25]. PLWHA who were married have shown higher HIV stigma and discrimination as compared to those who were unmarried or widowed [21,22].…”

“…Studies had confirmed that workplace employees face HIV/AIDS-related stigma from their co-workers and supervisors (such as social isolation and ridicule), or experience discriminatory practices (e.g., being fired from their jobs due to HIV-positive status) [4,21,25]. PLWHA who were married have shown higher HIV stigma and discrimination as compared to those who were unmarried or widowed [21,22]. Due to increased social sion, the factors that were significantly associated with stigma after controlling for other factors, included age, gender, public health concerns, and negative self-image (p < 0.05).…”

“…Negative self-image showed the least percentage among the four domains. Recent studies in Pokhara Valley and Southern part of India demonstrated that public health concerns and enacted stigma variation was highest among PLWHA [7,21]. The higher proportion of public attitude and personalized stigma showed that the level of community HIV acceptance was low and the level of refusal was high towards PLWHA by community members of the province.…”