Main Article Content

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


Dorothy Ebere Adimora
Eucharia Nchedo Aye
Immaculata Nwakaego Akaneme
Edith Nwakaego Nwokenna
Francis Ekenechukwu Akubuilo

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; psychological health; poverty; pocial isolation.


Journal Identifiers


eISSN: 1729-0503
print ISSN: 1680-6905