Factors contributing to stigma among HIV/AIDS clients receiving medical care in TASO Soroti Center, Eastern Uganda
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Date
2016-10
Authors
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Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kampala International University, School of Health Sciences
Abstract
In Uganda, despite instituted policy to guide the national response, stigma and discrimination remains a hindrance factor to accessibility and utilization of the available HIV/AIDS services and the achievement of the national aspiration of getting to Zero discrimination. The purpose of the study was to assess factors contributing to stigma among HIV/AIDS clients receiving medical care in TASO Soroti Center, a descriptive cross-sectional study design quantitative in nature. Convenient sampling method was used to recruit 96 respondents for the study. A total of 74% of the respondents agreed that financial status could influence stigmatizing process, 87% of the respondents agreed that low level of education promotes HIV/AIDS related stigma and 74% agreed that cultural beliefs that HIV/AIDS infected individuals were a source of shame to the clan and community contributed to HIV/AIDS related stigma. The researcher concluded that the socio economic factors contributing to HIV/AIDS related stigma included; financial status, pre-employment screening tests and lack of clear work place policies regarding care of HIV/AIDS infected individuals. The socio demographic factors contributing to HIV/AIDS related stigma included; low level of education, gender differences, religious teachings about moral purity and compulsory testing of individuals before marriage. Cultural factors contributing to HIV/AIDS related stigma included; Cultural orientation that HIV/AIDS is contagious, beliefs that HIV/AIDS was due to lack of respect of cultural values and norms and cultural beliefs that HIV/AIDS infected individuals were a source of shame to the clan and community.
Description
A research report submitted to the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Examinations Board in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of a Diploma in Nursing
Keywords
Stigma, HIV/AIDS, TASO Soroti Center