Perceptions of Persons Living with HIV/AIDS of Issues Related to Stigma and Discrimination

Description:

Abstract:
Background Guyana is one of the worst affected countries with HIV in the Western Hemisphere with an estimated HIV seroprevalence at the end of 2004 of 2.7 % and approximately 20 000 persons living with the infection (PLWHA). This study had as its aim to determine the perception of PLWHA of issues related to stigma and discrimination. Methodology A cross sectional study was conducted during the period February 2005-March 2005 among PLWHA in Georgetown Guyana. Persons were recruited from among attendees at the main HIV/AIDS/STI clinic and a support group in Georgetown. Persons were informed of the nature of the study and invited to participate. Study participation was voluntary. Persons who agree to participate were interviewed using s structured questionnaire by trained interviewers. The data collected was entered into an SPSS database and analysed. The frequencies of the responses were reported in tabular form. Results Forty-nine PLWHA were interviewed. The majority were Afro- and Indo-Guyanese (55.1 % and 20.4 % respectively). Most persons were single (44.9 %) or involved in stable relationships (married 20.4 % and common law 22.4 %). Un-employment was high among PLWHA (42.9 %) and among the employed most were private sector and NGO employees. Fifty-five percent of persons were diagnosed at public health laboratories and the remainder in the private sector. The majority of persons reported that they had come to terms with their HIV status and 67.3 % had disclosed their HIV status to someone. Of the latter (33 persons) most disclose to a family member (25 persons), their partner (20 persons) or to a friend (16 persons). Nineteen PLWHA disclose to more than 1 person. Sixteen persons did not disclose their HIV status mainly because of fear of stigma and discrimination (10 persons), fear of rejections (10 persons), and fear of persons perceiving that their lifestyle may have contributed to their HIV status (9 persons). Almost 90 % (44 patients) of PLWHA are routinely being monitored by a physician; 38 by public physicians, 8 by a private physician and 4 by herbalist. Twenty-sex persons are receiving anti-retroviral therapy (ART), 24 of these from a public physician and 2 from a herbalist. Of the persons not receiving ART (23 persons), 14 persons were not doing so because their physician had not decided to do so, 5 persons were concerned about the safety and efficacy of the drugs. Conclusion Disclosure HIV status by PLWHA was high but a significant proportion had not disclosed their status. Persons who did not disclose their HIV status were mainly fearful of being stigmatized or discriminated against, being rejected by their partners or family members or persons perceiving that their lifestyle may have contributed to their infection. Steps must be taken to reduce stigma and discrimination experienced by HIV positive persons; this will positively impact on disclosure and treatment seeking patterns of PLWHA.