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. 2019 Dec;19(4):3160-3171.
doi: 10.4314/ahs.v19i4.39.

Stigmatization and discrimination as predictors of self-esteem of people living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria

Dorothy Ebere Adimora  1 , Eucharia Nchedo Aye  2 , Immaculata Nwakaego Akaneme  1 , Edith Nwakaego Nwokenna  3 , Francis Ekenechukwu Akubuilo  3
Affiliations

Stigmatization and discrimination as predictors of self-esteem of people living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria

Dorothy Ebere Adimora et al. Afr Health Sci. 2019 Dec.

Abstract

Background: Self-esteem is a major psychological health issue. People living with HIV and AIDS have been found to be victims of discrimination and stigmatization which affect their self-esteem.

Objectives: The study investigated the influence of stigma and discrimination on self-esteem of people living with HIV and AIDS (PLHIV).

Methods: The design was a cross-sectional study carried out in four teaching hospitals in south-eastern Nigeria between 13th July 2016 - 11th May 2017. Four hundred and eighty-four (174 males and 310 females) PLHIV participated in the study. Quantitative study supplemented by qualitative in-depth interviews were used to collect data regarding discrimination, stigma and self-esteem of PLHIV whilst a structured questionnaire was used to elicit information about the socio-demographic variables.

Results: Stigmatization and discrimination were found to have significant influence on self-esteem of PLHIV. The results indicate that stigmatization and discrimination, together with income, work status, AIDS diagnosis status, and medication use status significantly influence self-esteem of PLHIV. These results imply that stigmatization and discrimination influences on self-esteem among PLHIV.

Conclusion: Conclusively, intervention programmes should evolve enlightenment through television, movies, and educational programs that incorporate the ill effects of discrimination and stigma so as to boost self-esteem of PLHIV.

Keywords: Intervention; pocial isolation; poverty; psychological health.

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Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1
Conceptual Model of the Study (***p < .001; **p < .01).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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