scholarly journals “My Friend with HIV Remains a Friend”: HIV/AIDS Stigma Reduction through Education in Secondary Schools—A Pilot Project in Buea, Cameroon

Author(s):  
Christoph Arnim Jacobi ◽  
Pascal Nji Atanga ◽  
Leonard Kum Bin ◽  
Akenji Jean Claude Fru ◽  
Gerd Eppel ◽  
...  

The universal access to treatment and care for people living with HIV (PLWHIV) is still a major problem, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, where 70% of HIV-infected people live. Equally important is the fact that HIV/AIDS-related stigma is recognized to be a major obstacle to successfully control the spread of this disease. We devised a pilot project (titled “My friend with HIV remains a friend”) to fight the HIV/AIDS stigmatization through educating secondary school students by openly HIV-positive teachers. In a first step, we have measured the amount and type of stigma felt by the PLWHIV in Buea/Cameroon using the “The people living with HIV Stigma Index” from Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS. Gossiping and verbal insults were experienced by 90% of the interviewees, while 9% have experienced physical assaults. Using these data and material from the “Toolkit for action” from the “International Centre for the Research on Women,” the teachers educated the students on multiple aspects of HIV/AIDS and stigma. The teaching curriculum included role-plays, picture visualizations, drawing, and other forms of interactions like visits to HIV and AIDS treatment units. Before and after this intervention, the students undertook “True/False” examinations on HIV/AIDS and stigma. We compared these results with results from students from another school, who did not participate in this intervention. We were able to show that the students taking part in the intervention improved by almost 20% points in comparison to the other students. Their results did not change.

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 185
Author(s):  
PHILLIPUS J. (FLIP) BUYS

One of the most challenging issues in dealing with HIV/AIDS in Africa is breaking through the stigmas surrounding the disease and building resilience in communities where large numbers of people are infected with HIV or otherwise affected by the pandemic. This article explores the relationship between shame, fear, guilt, witchcraft, and HIV/AIDS stigmatization by looking at key features of the African traditional worldview and culture. We point out predominant witchcraft beliefs and how they translate to community attitudes towards people living with HIV and AIDS. We highlight the influence of prevailing beliefs in witchcraft and how they aggravate the experience of fear, shame, and stigmatization by people infected with or otherwise affected by HIV. Relevant aspects of the gospel are brought to bear to answer these challenges. KEYWORDS: HIV/AIDS, stigmatization, shame culture, fear culture, witchcraft, ubuntu


2002 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 644-654 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enrique González Mac Dowell

The development in 1996 of a new generation of antiretroviral drugs was a major pharmaceutical advancement in the struggle against the epidemics of HIV and AIDS. However, due to high costs, access to these new drugs was almost impossible for most people living with HIV or AIDS. This situatiowhas been even more dramatic for those living with HIV/AIDS in poorer countries. Many of the organizations that are fighting for the rights of those with HIV have since developed human rights advocacy and legal strategies to try to achieve universal access to treatment. These organizations are also fighting for states’ compliance with human rights obligations under health-related treatises and conventions. This paper draws upon the experience gained in Latin America, focusing on the legal strategies that have been explored in Venezuela and the legal consequences for domestic law.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth R. Katumba ◽  
Yoko V. Laurence ◽  
Patrick Tenywa ◽  
Joshua Ssebunnya ◽  
Agata Laszewska ◽  
...  

Abstract Background It is rare to find HIV/AIDS care providers in sub-Saharan Africa routinely providing mental health services, yet 8–30% of the people living with HIV have depression. In an ongoing trial to assess integration of collaborative care of depression into routine HIV services in Uganda, we will assess quality of life using the standard EQ-5D-5L, and the capability-based OxCAP-MH which has never been adapted nor used in a low-income setting. We present the results of the translation and validation process for cultural and linguistic appropriateness of the OxCAP-MH tool for people living with HIV/AIDS and depression in Uganda. Methods The translation process used the Concept Elaboration document, the source English version of OxCAP-MH, and the Back-Translation Review template as provided during the user registration process of the OxCAP-MH, and adhered to the Translation and Linguistic Validation process of the OxCAP-MH, which was developed following the international principles of good practice for translation as per the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research’s standards. Results The final official Luganda version of the OxCAP-MH was obtained following a systematic iterative process, and is equivalent to the English version in content, but key concepts were translated to ensure cultural acceptability, feasibility and comprehension by Luganda-speaking people. Conclusion The newly developed Luganda version of the OxCAP-MH can be used both as an alternative or as an addition to health-related quality of life patient-reported outcome measures in research about people living with HIV with comorbid depression, as well as more broadly for mental health research.


2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Idongesit Godwin Utuk ◽  
Kayode Omoniyi Osungbade ◽  
Taiwo Akinyode Obembe ◽  
David Ayobami Adewole ◽  
Victoria Oluwabunmi Oladoyin

Background:Despite demonstrating global concerns about infection in the workplace, very little research has explored how co-workers react to those living with HIV in the workplace in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to assess the level of stigmatising attitude towards co-workers living with HIV in the workplace.Methods:The study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey involving 403 respondents. They were recruited from selected companies through a multistage sampling technique. Survey was carried out using pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences to generate frequencies, cross tabulations of variables at 5% level of significance. Logistic regression model was used to determine the predictors at 95% confidence intervals.Results:Mean age of respondents was 32.9 ± 9.4 years with 86.1% being females. Overall, slightly below two-third (63.0%) had good knowledge on transmission of HIV/AIDS while 218 (54.1%) respondents had a high stigmatising attitude towards co-workers with HIV in the workplace. More female respondents (69.6%) demonstrated high stigmatising attitudes towards co-workers with HIV in the workplace (p = 0.012). Female workers were twice more likely to have high stigmatising attitudes towards co-worker with HIV [OR 2.1 (95% CI: 1.13 – 3.83)].Conclusion:Stigma towards people living with HIV/AIDs is still very persistent in different settings. Good knowledge amongst our participants about HIV/AIDs did not translate to low stigmatising attitudes among workers. Concerted efforts and trainings on the transmission of HIV/AIDs are essential to reduce stigma that is still very prevalent in workplace settings.


Author(s):  
Tafadzwa Dzinamarira ◽  
Moreblessing Chipo Mashora

Background: Good nutritional status is highly significant for individuals who are infected with HIV. However, they still face a number of nutritional challenges. The proposed scoping review will map literature on the nutritional challenges facing people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) and guide future research in nutritional management to improve health outcomes for PLWH. Here we outline a scoping review protocol designed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P 2015 Guidelines).Methods: The Arksey and O’Malley’s 2005 scoping methodological framework further improved by Levac et al. 2010 will guide the search and reporting. Searches will be conducted for eligible articles from MEDLINE (PubMed), MEDLINE, CINAHL, Academic Search Complete and ISI Web of Science (Science Citation Index) electronic databases. Two independent reviewers will conduct the search guided by an inclusion and exclusion criteria. Quality appraisal of the included articles will be conducted guided by the mixed methods appraisal tool 2018 version. We will employ NVivo version 12 for thematic content analysis.Conclusions: The findings of this review will guide future research in nutritional management to improve health outcomes for PLWH in sub-Saharan African. This review will be disseminated electronically in a published peer reviewed article and in print.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Patience Adzordor ◽  
Clement Avoka ◽  
Vitalis Bawontuo ◽  
Silas Agbesi ◽  
Desmond Kuupiel

Abstract Background Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) homes most of the people living with HIV/AIDS in the world. Adolescents/young people are a vulnerable population and at high risk of HIV infection. Identifying and bridging the research gaps on the disclosure of HIV-positive status among adolescents, particularly to their sexual partners, is essential to inform appropriate policy planning and implementation towards preventing HIV transmission. This study will aim to explore literature and describe the evidence on HIV-positive status disclosure among adolescents in SSA. Methods The framework provided by Arksey and O’Malley’s framework and improved by Levac and colleagues will be used to conduct a scoping review. A keyword search for relevant literature presenting evidence on HIV-positive status disclosure among adolescents in SSA will be conducted in CINAHL, PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and SCOPUS. Date limitations will be removed, but Boolean terms “AND” and “OR” as well as Medical Subject Headings terms will be included where possible and syntax modified to suit the database during the search. Additional relevant articles will be sought from the reference lists of all included studies using a snowballing method. Two reviewers will independently screen the articles at the abstract and full-text screening phases in order to reduce bias and improve the reliability of this study’s findings. A tabular form will be developed using Microsoft Word and piloted for data extraction. Thematic content analysis will be conducted, and a narrative summary of all relevant outcomes reported. Quality appraisal of the included studies for this proposed study will be performed utilizing the recent mixed methods appraisal tool. Discussion The evidence produced by this review may help inform policy and strategies to reduce the incidence of HIV infection among adolescents and improve social support for adolescents living with HIV/AIDS in SSA. It may also reveal literature gaps to guide future researches to further inform HIV policies for adolescents in SSA. Platforms such as peer review journals, policy briefs, and conferences will be used to disseminate this study’s findings.


2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 92
Author(s):  
Arrum Firda Ayu Maqfiroch ◽  
Zahroh Shaluhiyah

ABSTRAKPenanggulangan HIV AIDS membutuhkan keterlibatan dari berbagai pihak. Salah satu pihak yang terlibat adalah OHIDHA. OHIDHA merupakan anggota keluarga yang hidup bersama ODHA dan memberikan dukungan kepada ODHA. Stigma di Kabupaten Sukoharjo dan Grobogan masih tinggi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui faktor-faktor apakah yang menentukan respons OHIDHA dalam upaya penanggulangan HIV AIDS di Kabupaten Sukoharjo dan Grobogan.Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian kuantitatif dengan pendekatan cross sectional. Teknik pengambilan data kuantitatif melalui wawancara dengan kuesioner. Penelitian ini didukung dengan penelitian kualitatif dengan teknik pengambilan data FGD. Jumlah responden adalah 92 OHIDHA, proporsi 50% dan selang kepercayaan 95%. Analisis data menggunakan analisis univariat dengan distribusi frekuensi, bivariat menggunakan Chi-Square dan multivariat menggunakan regresi logistik.Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa variabel yang berhubungan dengan respons OHIDHA adalah hubungan dengan ODHA (p-value=0,001), lama hidup dengan ODHA (p-value=0,030), lama mengetahui status ODHA (p-value=0,001) dan sikap (p-value=0,005). Hasil analisis multivariat menunjukkan bahwa sikap (p-value=0,006) merupakan variabel yang mempunyai pengaruh paling signifikan dibanding variabel lainnya.Kata Kunci : OHIDHA, respons, Grobogan, Sukoharjo Respons of People Living With HIV AIDS to Control HIV and AIDS in Sukoharjo and Grobogan District; Controlling HIV and AIDS requird the involvement of various sector. One of the sector involved is People Living With HIV AIDS (PLWHA).  PLWHA is a family member who lives with people living with HIV and provide support to people living with HIV. Stigma in Sukoharjo and Grobogan still high. This study aims to determine the factors that determine whether the PLWHA response in control to HIV and AIDS in Sukoharjo Grobogan. This research was a quantitative study with cross sectional approach. Quantitative data collection techniques through interviews with questionnaires . This research was supported by qualitative research with FGD. The number of respondents was 92 PLWHA, the proportion of 50% and 95% confidence interval . Analysis of the data using univariate analysis with frequency distribution, bivariate using Chi-Square and multivariate using logistic regression. The results showed that the variables related to the PLWHA response is a relationship with people living with HIV ( p = 0,001 ) , long life with people living with HIV ( p = 0.030 ) , longer know the status of PLWHA ( 0.001 ) and attitude ( p = 0.005 ). Multivariate analysis showed that the attitude (p value = 0,006) was a variable that has the most significant effect compared to other variables .Keywords : AIDS , response , Grobogan , Sukoharjo


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