HIV/AIDS: Research and Palliative Care (Apr 2021)

High Perceived Stigma Among People Living with HIV/AIDS in a Resource Limited Setting in Western Ethiopia: The Effect of Depression and Low Social Support

  • Turi E,
  • Simegnew D,
  • Fekadu G,
  • Tolossa T,
  • Desalegn M,
  • Bayisa L,
  • Mulisa D,
  • Abajobir A

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 13
pp. 389 – 397

Abstract

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Ebisa Turi,1 Dawit Simegnew,2,3 Ginenus Fekadu,4,5 Tadesse Tolossa,1 Markos Desalegn,1 Lami Bayisa,6 Diriba Mulisa,6 Amanuel Abajobir7 1Department of Public Health, Institute of Health Sciences, Wollega University, Nekemte, Ethiopia; 2Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Pharmacy, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Bule Hora University, Bule Hora, Ethiopia; 4Department of Pharmacy, Institute of Health Sciences, Wollega University, Nekemte, Ethiopia; 5School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territory, Hong Kong; 6School of Nursing and Midwifery, Institute of Health Sciences, Wollega University, Nekemte, Ethiopia; 7Maternal and Child Wellbeing Unit, African Population and Health Research Centre, Nairobi, KenyaCorrespondence: Ebisa TuriDepartment of Public Health, Institute of Health Sciences, Wollega University, Nekemte, EthiopiaTel +251 917686021Fax +251 576617980Email [email protected]: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is only one part of a successful range of care among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Stigma and low social support are emerging issues worsening the success of ART for PLWHA. This study thus aimed to investigate the level of perceived stigma among PLWHA.Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Nekemte, western Ethiopia. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify associations between perceived stigma and low social support, depression, and other potential predictor variables using SPSS version 24.0 and adjusted odds ratios (AORs), considering statistical significance at p< 0.05.Results: A total of 418 study participants were included in the study, with a response rate of 100%. About 48.6% of PLWHA had experienced perceived stigma, and more than two-fifths had poor social support. The following factors were associated with perceived stigma among PLWHA: age (18– 29 years) (AOR=4.88, 95% CI:1.76– 13.5), female sex (AOR=2.10, 95% CI 1.15– 3.82), < 12 months on ART (AOR=2.63, 95% CI 1.09– 6.34), depression (AOR=1.86, 95% CI 1.08– 3.19), social support (poor: AOR=3.45, 95% CI 1.65– 7.23; medium: AOR=2.22, 95% CI 1.09– 4.54), and non-disclosure of HIV status (AOR=2.00, 95% CI 1.11– 3.59).Conclusion and Recommendation: The magnitude of perceived stigma among PLWHA was high, highlighting the importance of integrating social and mental health support within standard ART for PLWHA.Keywords: stigma, social support, HIV/AIDS, Nekemte, Ethiopia

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