Psycho-Social Impact of Stigmatization against Pregnant Women with HIV

Abstract

Background: Stigmatization, discrimination, and poor social support are challenges faced by people living with HIV, and the stigmatization of pregnant women with HIV is still very frequent, which can have a profound negative impact on patient's health. This can have a psychosocial impact on the sufferer. Objective: To study and determine the psychosocial impact of discriminatory behavior towards pregnant patients with HIV. Methods: This is a case report of two cases of pregnant women with HIV at the Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) Polyclinic of RSUP Prof. Dr. I.G.N.G. Go to Denpasar. In-depth interviews were conducted with them regarding their views on openness to their families and communities about their condition. Results and Discussion: It was reported that two cases of pregnant women with HIV who were carrying out antenatal care in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Polyclinic Room, Prof. dr. I.G.N.G Ngoerah Central General Hospital Denpasar. In both cases, discriminatory treatment and stigma still strongly haunt the sufferers even though the form and source are slightly different. In the first case, the patient was afraid of getting discriminatory treatment and stigmatization that came from the family environment and the wider environment. Meanwhile, in the second case, it shows that the discriminatory treatment that causes stigma does not only come from far away but also comes from the people themselves. Both have a psychosocial impact that creates a sense of social discomfort, even though the race is slowly diminishing with the assistance of a counselor. There is a need for a wide range of active education by health workers to the patient's family and the community in reducing the stigma and discrimination against pregnant women with HIV. Conclusion: Women with HIV, especially those who are pregnant, are still full of negative judgments, and discriminatory behavior towards them. This can cause psychosocial impacts on patients. The disparity between knowledge about unknown patterns of HIV transmission on the one hand and risky sexual behavior, on the other hand, can be one of the risk factors for contracting HIV. This also contributes to stigma and discrimination against pregnant women with HIV.