THE IMPACT OF EXPOSURE TO MASS MEDIA CAMPAIGNS AND SOCIAL SUPPORT ON LEVELS AND TRENDS OF HIV-RELATED STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION IN NIGERIA: TOOLS FOR ENHANCING EFFECTIVE HIV PREVENTION PROGRAMMES

SummaryPeople living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHAs) often face stigma and discrimination, especially in developing countries. HIV-related stigma is expressed through social ostracism, personal rejection, direct and indirect discrimination, and denial from families and friends. Consequently, it is associated with reduced adoption of preventive and care behaviours, including condom use, seeking for HIV test and care-seeking behaviour subsequent to diagnosis. Ignorance about the epidemiology of the disease on modes of transmission and prevention aggravates HIV-related stigma in Nigeria. Behaviour change communication activities through mass media have been shown to be an effective approach in improving people's knowledge about the disease. This paper monitors trends in the level of accepting attitudes towards PLWHAs in Nigeria between 2003 and 2007. It also evaluates the impact of exposure to mass media and social support on the levels of accepting attitudes towards PLWHAs. A significant and positive trend was evident between 2003 and 2007 (p<0.0001). Furthermore, exposure to mass media communications on HIV and AIDS issues and social support were significantly related to the reduced stigma and discrimination against PLWHAs (p<0.0001).

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A Conceptual Analysis of Metaphors Engendering HIV and AIDS-Related Stigma and Discrimination in Kisii County, Kenya

Language Circle: Journal of Language and Literature ◽

10.15294/lc.v14i2.22006 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 137-147

Author(s):

Geoffrey Mokua Maroko ◽

Gladys Nyamoita Mokua ◽

Augustus Onchari Nyakundi ◽

Meshack Ondora Onyambu

Keyword(s):

Hiv And Aids ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Language Management ◽

Group Discussions ◽

Support Providers ◽

Stigma And Discrimination ◽

Success Stories ◽

Related Stigma ◽

Living With Hiv

Metaphors are mapped across two conceptual domains where A is B. Metaphorical expressionsare defined by dimensions including novelty, conventionality, abstractness and concreteness. The AbaGusii of Western Kenya is a highly conservative community of Bantu speakers of Western part of Kenya. They view HIV and Aids as taboo that cannot be the subject of discussion in public. Hence, People Living with HIV (hereafter PLHIV) are stigmatized and discriminated. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the metaphorical words and concepts that engender HIV and Aids-related stigma and discrimination in Kisii County. Descriptive narratives were elicited from HIV support providers using focus group discussions and follow-up interviews. The narratives were analysed in terms of five attributes of stigma and discrimination within the conceptual metaphor theory. Results revealed some culturally ingrained metaphors that evoke stigma and discrimination. The paper advocates for language management efforts using success stories in HIV and Aids management to construct positive messages to counter the negative metaphors.

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Experiences and Impact of Stigma and Discrimination among People on Antiretroviral Therapy in Dar es Salaam: A Qualitative Perspective

AIDS Research and Treatment ◽

10.1155/2016/7925052 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Maisara Mhode ◽

Tumaini Nyamhanga

Keyword(s):

Antiretroviral Therapy ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Phenomenological Approach ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Stigma And Discrimination ◽

Care Workers ◽

Related Stigma ◽

Positive Treatment ◽

Living With Hiv ◽

The Impact

Background. The impact of stigma on adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been less studied in Tanzania. Recent studies indicate that people on ART still experience stigma. Qualitative information on the subject matter is especially insufficient.Objective. This paper reports on the dimensions of stigma and discrimination and their impact on adherence to ART as experienced by people living with HIV (PLHIV).Design. A phenomenological approach was used to gather information on the lived experiences of stigma and discrimination. The sample size was determined according to the saturation principle.Results. Respondents experienced different forms of HIV-related stigma such as verbal, social, and perceived stigma. Various forms of discrimination were experienced, including relational discrimination, mistreatment by health care workers, blame and rejection by spouses, and workplace discrimination. HIV-related stigma and discrimination compromised ART adherence by reinforcing concealment of HIV status and undermining social suppport.Conclusion. After nearly a decade of increasing the provision of ART in Tanzania, PLHIV still experience stigma and discrimination; these experiences still appear to have a negative impact on treatment adherence. Efforts to reduce stigma and discrimination remain relevant in the ART period and should be given more impetus in order to maximize positive treatment outcomes.

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Breaking the silence: Challenging HIV and AIDS related stigma and discrimination in Egypt

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e628452012-335 ◽

2012 ◽

Author(s):

Magid El Rabeiy

Keyword(s):

Hiv And Aids ◽

Stigma And Discrimination ◽

Related Stigma

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Quality of Life in People Living With HIV: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Survey in Belgium

AIDS Education and Prevention ◽

10.1521/aeap.2021.33.3.249 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 33 (3) ◽

pp. 249-264

Author(s):

Gert Scheerder ◽

Sandra Van den Eynde ◽

Patrick Reyntiens ◽

Ria Koeck ◽

Jessika Deblonde ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Sexual Life ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Related Stigma ◽

Living With Hiv ◽

The Impact

This cross-sectional survey explored the quality of life in 505 people living with HIV in Belgium. Several domains of quality of life were impaired: 26% had been diagnosed with depression and 43% had weak social support. HIV-related stigma is still widespread, with 49% believing most people with HIV are rejected and 65% having experienced discrimination due to HIV. The impact of HIV was limited on professional life, but 40% experienced a negative impact on life satisfaction and 41% a negative impact on sexual life. For several domains, people with a recent diagnosis of HIV and long-term survivors had significantly worse scores. This survey also uncovered strengths of people living with HIV, such as positive coping and HIV self-image. Expanding the scope of quality of life in people living with HIV may provide a more complete picture of relevant life domains that may be impacted by living with HIV, but this needs further validation.

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Is socio-economic status a determinant of HIV-related stigma attitudes in Zimbabwe? Findings from Project Accept

Journal of Public Health in Africa ◽

10.4081/jphia.2016.533 ◽

2016 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kudzanai Mateveke ◽

Basant Singh ◽

Alfred Chingono ◽

E. Sibanda ◽

Ian Machingura

Keyword(s):

Social Isolation ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Economic Status ◽

Target Population ◽

Low Ses ◽

Voluntary Counseling And Testing ◽

Socio Economic Status ◽

Stigma And Discrimination ◽

Related Stigma ◽

The Impact

HIV related stigma and discrimination is a known barrier for HIV prevention and care. We aimed to assess the relationship between socio-economic status (SES) and HIV related stigma in Zimbabwe. This paper uses data from Project Accept, which examined the impact of community-based voluntary counseling and testing intervention on HIV incidence and stigma. Total of 2522 eligible participants responded to a psychometric assessment tool, which assessed HIV related stigma and discrimination attitudes on 4 point Likert scale. The tool measured three components of HIVrelated stigma: shame, blame and social isolation, perceived discrimination, and equity. Participants’ ownership of basic assets was used to assess the socio-economic status. Shame, blame and social isolation component of HIV related stigma was found to be significantly associated with medium [odds ratio (OR)=1.73, P<0.01] and low SES (OR=1.97, P<0.01), indicating more stigmatizing attitudes by participants belonging to medium and low SES in comparison to high SES. For HIV related stigma and discrimination programs to be effective, they should take into account the socio-economic context of target population.

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The Impact of Stigma and Discrimination on Adherence to Medication amongst People Living with HIV in Tiv Land, North Central Nigeria

Journal of Advances in Medicine and Medical Research ◽

10.9734/jammr/2019/v30i130165 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Godwin Aondohemba Timiun ◽

Timothy J. Scrase

Keyword(s):

People Living With Hiv ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Hiv Patients ◽

Stigma And Discrimination ◽

Treatment Services ◽

Adherence To Medication ◽

Multi Stage ◽

Living With Hiv ◽

And Control ◽

The Impact

In spite the identification of stigma as a factor impeding public utilisation of HIV counselling, testing, and treatment services in Nigeria, gaps still exist in knowledge on the impact of stigma, and discrimination on adherence to medication amongst people living with HIV (PLWH). This study adopted mixed methods to examine the impact of stigma and discrimination on adherence to medication amongst PLWH in Nigeria. A sample of 1,621 respondents was collected using multi-stage and purposive sampling methods. Structured interviews using questionnaires and in-depth interviews (using a guide) were utilised for data collection. SPSS (version 21) was used for quantitative data analysis while the qualitative data was analysed thematically. There are 46.3% men and 53.7% women respondents. Generally, their income is low, 70.7% are earning less than N25, 000 (approximately $125 USD) per month. Some of the HIV patients are stigmatised. In reaction, they avoid public places, travel long distances away from their immediate community to collect drugs and to avoid been noticed around the centers. They sometimes miss taking drugs regularly as prescribed, suffer depression and die. Stigma and discrimination impede adherence to medication amongst PLHW in Nigeria. More efforts should be made to create awareness to reduce stigma and discrimination of HIV patients, while augmenting their income to meet up with the challenges of adherence to medication. The overall benefits would be enhanced mechanism of HIV prevention, treatment and control in the study area.

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