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. 2024 Feb 19:16:45-58.
doi: 10.2147/HIV.S447551. eCollection 2024.

Experiences of Stigmatization and Discrimination in Accessing Health Care Services Among People Living with HIV (PLHIV) in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Peters Adekoya  1 , Faith D Lannap  1 , Fatima Anne Ajonye  1 , Stanley Amadiegwu  2 , Ifeyinwa Okereke  1 , Charity Elochukwu  1 , Christopher Ayaba Aruku  1 , Adeyemi Oluwaseyi  1 , Grace Kumolu  1 , Michael Ejeh  1 , Ayodotun O Olutola  1 , Doreen Magaji  3
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Experiences of Stigmatization and Discrimination in Accessing Health Care Services Among People Living with HIV (PLHIV) in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Peters Adekoya et al. HIV AIDS (Auckl). .

Abstract

Background: Recent advances in care and treatment have turned HIV into a "chronic but manageable condition". Despite this, some people living with HIV (PLHIV) continue to suffer from stigma and discrimination in accessing health care services. This study examined the experience of stigma and discrimination and access to health care services among PLHIV in Akwa Ibom State.

Methods: The Center for Clinical Care and Clinical Research (CCCRN), implementing a USAID-funded Integrated Child Health and Social Services Award (ICHSSA 1) project, conducted a community-based cross-sectional survey in 12 randomly selected local government areas in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. A structured quantitative questionnaire was used for data collection. In total, 425 randomly selected PLHIV were interviewed after providing informed consent. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses were conducted using the data analytical application Stata 14.

Results: The study revealed that 215 PLHIV (50.4%) had been denied access to health care services, including dental care, because of their HIV status in Akwa Ibom State. Respondents reported being afraid of: gossip (78%), being verbally abused (17%), or being physically harassed or assaulted because of their positive status (13%). Self-stigmatization was also evident; respondents reported being ashamed because of their positive HIV status (29%), exhibiting self-guilt (16%), having low self-esteem (38%), and experiencing self-isolation (36%). Women, rural residents, PLHIV with no education, unemployed, single, young people aged between 19 and 29 years, and older adults were more likely to experience HIV-related stigmatization.

Conclusion: Data from the study revealed that the percentage of PLHIV who experience health-related stigmatization because of their HIV status is high in Akwa Ibom State. This finding calls for the prioritization of interventions to reduce stigma, enhance self-esteem, and promote empathy and compassion for PLHIV. It also highlights the need for HIV education for family and community members and health care providers, to enhance the knowledge of HIV and improve acceptance of PLHIV within families, communities, and health care settings.

Keywords: discrimination; health-related stigma; household; orphans and vulnerable children; people living with HIV; stigmatization.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Percentage of PLHIV who have been denied health services, including dental care, because of their HIV status in the past 12 months in Akwa Ibom State.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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