PLHA experience high self stigma and enacted stigma and stigma from health care providers associated with HIV/AIDS–A pilot study in District Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India

Rajesh K. Sood; Omesh K. Bharti; Vidya Ramachandran

Volume : V, Issue : II, February - 2015

PLHA experience high self stigma and enacted stigma and stigma from health care providers associated with HIV/AIDS–A pilot study in District Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India

Rajesh K. Sood, Omesh K. Bharti, Vidya Ramachandran

Abstract :

Abstract Background: Stigma associated with HIV/AIDS has been termed as the &ldquo;third epidemic&rdquo;. Stigma is not only distressing to People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA/PLHIV) but represents a major obstacle to stopping the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Identification of stigma is the first step to addressing the problem; hence we undertook this study to idge the information gap in Kangra district (North India) to estimate the prevalence of stigma &amp; discrimination among PHLA in the year 2008. Methods: We surveyed 45 People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA), 536 (87%) health care providers (HCP) &amp; 540 community members &amp; collected information on knowledge, stigma, attribution of blame &amp; enacted stigma using questionnaire adapted from PLHA stigma questionnaire &amp; USAID tools &amp; computed proportions. Results: Of 45 PLHA, 35 experienced enacted stigma, 34 experienced stigma from HCP, and 43 self stigma. 34 PLHIV had depression which was associated with lower Quality of life scores. 14 received no counseling. 22 PLHA had given informed consent for test. 30% HCP reported peer practices of testing without consent and 42% HCP reported disclosure to family without consent. 36% community members reported seen stigma with PLHIV. 94% community members &amp; 84% HCP associated blame with HIV. 82% community members, 31% HCP associated shame with HIV. 75% HCP reported fear of contacting HIV from occupational exposure. 38% community members feared casual transmission. 12 PLHA &amp; 48% community members knew that HIV and AIDS are different. 52% HCP had the misconception that HIV can be transmitted by saliva. Conclusions: PLHA experienced high self stigma and enacted stigma which may be attributed to low awareness of community &amp; inadequate training of HCP. There is urgent need to increase community awareness through targeted Information, Education and communication (IEC) and improve attitude of HCP through training.