Open AccessStigmatization among People Living with HIV/AIDS at the Kumba Health District, Cameroon
Author(s) -
Thomas Obinchemti Egbe,
Cynthia Adanze Nge,
Hermann Ngouekam,
Etienne Asonganyi,
Dickson Shey Nsagha
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of the international association of providers of aids care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.813
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 2325-9582
pISSN - 2325-9574
DOI - 10.1177/2325958219899305
Subject(s) - stigma (botany) , medicine , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , odds ratio , confidence interval , social stigma , focus group , gerontology , health education , cross sectional study , psychology , environmental health , public health , psychiatry , family medicine , nursing , sociology , pathology , anthropology
We determined the level, type of stigma, and risk factors associated with stigmatization of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) by conducting a cross-sectional study from April to June 2018 in 3 HIV treatment centers in the Kumba Health District (KHD), Cameroon. We reviewed hospital registers, conducted focus group discussions, and administered structured questionnaires. For data analysis, we used the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20.0. We recorded a total stigma index score of 59.1. Internal stigma (odds ratio [OR] 2.91; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.74-4.98) was common in PLWHA. Also, younger age <30 years (adjusted OR [AOR]: 0.39; 95% CI: 0.17-0.94) was linked with stigma reduction while low level of education (AOR: 1.74; 95% CI: 1.02-2.97) increased the stigma level. HIV-related stigma is pervasive in the lives of PLWHA, with most of them having internal stigmatization. Appropriate health education on HIV will be crucial in reducing stigmatization in the KHD.