Abstract
Background:HIV-related stigma and HIV status disclosure are important elements in the continuous fight against HIV as these impact the prevention efforts and antiretroviral treatment adherence among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in many communities.Objectives:The objectives of the study were to examine the prevalence and experience of various types of HIV-related stigma and HIV status disclosure among PLWHA in Volta region.Methods:A cross-sectional design was used to collect quantitative data from 301 PLWHA. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze and present data on socio-demographic variables. Correlation analysis was done to determine factors associated with HIV stigma and status disclosure while a Mann-Whitney U test was used to determine differences in internalized HIV stigma.Findings:The mean age of the participants was 44.82 (SD: 12.22), 224 (74.4%) were female, and 90% attained at least primary education. A Pearson r analysis revealed that ethnicity (r[299] = 0.170, p = 0.003), religious affiliation (r[299] = –0.205, p = 0.001) and social support (r[299] = 0.142, p = 0.014) significantly predicted disclosure of HIV status. Fear of family rejection (62%) and shame (56%) were reasons for non-disclosure of HIV status. A Mann-Whitney’s U-test revealed that females are more likely than males to internalize HIV stigma. Community-related HIV stigma in the form of gossip (56.1%), verbal harassment (30.9%), and physical harassment (8.6%) was reported.Conclusion:A high rate of HIV status disclosure was found with social support, ethnicity, and religious affiliation being the associated factors. Internalized HIV stigma is prevalent among PLWHA while community-related stigma impacts HIV status disclosure. Strengthening social support systems and implementing culturally appropriate educational interventions may help in reducing community-related HIV stigma.
Highlights
A high rate of HIV status disclosure was found with social support, ethnicity, and religious affiliation being the associated factors
More people are living with HIV/AIDS today than ever since the emergence of the disease in the early 1980s which is a result of scientific advances such as the development and accessibility to antiretroviral drugs and public health interventions that have contributed to extended life expectancy and improvements in the Quality of Life (QoL) of people living with HIV (PLHIV)
The results of this study have revealed a high rate of HIV status disclosure among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in the three municipalities we covered and social support, ethnicity, and religious affiliation were factors associated with HIV status disclosure
Summary
More people are living with HIV/AIDS today than ever since the emergence of the disease in the early 1980s which is a result of scientific advances such as the development and accessibility to antiretroviral drugs and public health interventions that have contributed to extended life expectancy and improvements in the Quality of Life (QoL) of people living with HIV (PLHIV). Notwithstanding, HIV continues to be a global public health burden despite progress achieved in the fight against the epidemic. In 2018, there were 1.7 million new infections globally, 77,000 AIDS-related deaths, and 37.9 million PLHIV [1]. There appears to be a declining trend for new infections in Ghana, many people are already infected and living with the disease in the country. An estimated 1.1%(0.8–1.3) males and 2.3(1.9–2.8) females were infected with the disease in Ghana in 2018 [1]. HIV-related stigma and HIV status disclosure are important elements in the continuous fight against HIV as these impact the prevention efforts and antiretroviral treatment adherence among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in many communities
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