EVALUATION OF THE EXPERIENCES OF STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION AMONG HIV-POSITIVE MEN AND WOMEN LIVING WITH HIV IN OWERRI NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, IMO STATE, NIGERIA

Achoronye Joseph Chigoziem*, Martina Chikaodinaka Ezeama, Priscella Obioma Chinedu-Eleonu

ABSTRACT

The study was carried out to analyse experiences of stigma and discrimination among HIV positive men and women getting HIV care in Owerri North Local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria. The facility-based cross-sectional study enrolled a total of 400 persons living with HIV, comprising 200 males and 200 females. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. The questionnaire had items modified from a validated HIV Stigma Scale. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise responses and variations in the aspects of perceived, expected, internalised and performed stigma by gender. Respondents reported high levels of HIV-related stigma. On the whole, 96.0% of females and 91.0% of men agreed that people living with HIV are commonly discriminated against. Fear of unequal treatment based on HIV status was reported by 91.5% of females compared with 54.0% of males. Seventy-six percent of females and 19.5% of males indicated perceived social avoidance. 77.5% of females and 37.0% of males experienced shame about their HIV status. Almost all the women respondents (99.5%) and a large percentage of men respondents (91.5%) stated that society has negative perceptions about people living with HIV. 62.5% of females experienced loneliness linked with HIV status compared to 11.5% of males. Concern about disclosure of HIV status was highly high for both genders: 98.5% of females and 97.0% of males. In total, 92.8% of respondents indicated that they had been discriminated against because of their HIV status. Discrimination was most frequently reported in family contexts (42.0%) and health care institutions (35.7%), followed by community settings (10.5%) and workplaces (4.5%).HIV-related stigma and discrimination are still quite common among people living with HIV in Owerri North.

Keywords:

HIV/AIDS, stigma, discrimination, gender differences, persons living with HIV, psychosocial health, public health, Nigeria.

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