PERCEPTIONS AND ATTITUDES INFLUENCE ON THE LEVEL OF DISCRIMINATION AND STIGMATIZATION OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/ AIDS IN GARISSA COUNTY

Osman S Abdirahman,Dr Sarah Onyango,Dr Charles Walekhwa

doi:10.47672/ejhs.184

Osman S Abdirahman, Dr Sarah Onyango + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.47672/ejhs.184

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Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to establish the perceptions and attitudes influence on the level of discrimination and stigmatization of people living with HIV/ AIDS in Garissa County.Methodology: The target population of the study was all the patients with HIV and AIDS attending The Comprehensive care Centre at Garissa Provincial General Hospital in Garissa County. There are approximately 2000 people actively on ARVs attending the facility. A sample of 200 respondents was selected using random sampling from the listed list of all patients in the hospitals. The study used primary data. Data collection methods included: questionnaires and interview guide. Data was analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. Information was sorted, coded and input into the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) for production of graphs, tables, descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Results were presented by use of tables and charts.Results: Based on the findings, the study concluded that perceived factors influenced stigmatization and discrimination levels. Specifically, the likelihood of females spreading HIV influenced levels of stigmatization and discrimination. Similarly, the likelihood of old people spreading HIV influenced levels of stigmatization and discrimination.Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: Based on the findings, the study recommends that group therapy should be conducted regularly with an aim of encouraging members of the public to be tested and be aware of their HIV status.

Highlights

1.1 Background of the StudyStigma is the identification that a social group creates of a person based on some physical, behavioral or social trait perceived as being divergent from group norm (Castro and Farmer, 2005)
The primary goal of this study was to establish whether perceptions and attitudes influences the level of discrimination and stigmatization of people living with HIV/ AIDS in Garissa County
Binary logistic regression results showed that the likelihood of females spreading HIV is statistically associated to levels of stigmatization and discrimination which implied that an increase in the likelihood of females spreading HIV increases the probability of stigmatization and discrimination

Summary

Introduction

1.1 Background of the StudyStigma is the identification that a social group creates of a person (or group of people) based on some physical, behavioral or social trait perceived as being divergent from group norm (Castro and Farmer, 2005). As Deacon (2006) states, negative effects of stigma include status loss and discrimination. Discrimination often includes harassment, violence, and the social tendency to blame the victim (Appleby et al, 2001). According to Carr-Ruffino (1998) discrimination refers to actions, whereas prejudice refers to viewpoint. The UNAIDS Vision is zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS –related deaths as per its global report of 2010, the epidemic of stigmatization against people living with HIV/AIDS remain a big challenge. According to Michel Sidibe, UNAIDS Executive Director, growth in investment for the AIDS response has flattened for the first time in 2009, Demand is outstripping supply. Discrimination, and bad laws continue to place roadblocks for people living with HIV and people on the margins

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