A cross-sectional study on stigma and discrimination confronted by HIV positive patients in the economic capital of India.

Context: HIV/AIDS is a serious public health, economic and social problem. Stigma is a common human reaction to disease and discrimination follows stigma. Stigma and discrimination act as impediments to uptake of HIV testing, treatment, care and adherence to treatment.

Aim: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of the stigma and discrimination faced by HIV positive patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Settings And Design: A cross-sectional, observational study conducted at ART center of a tertiary care hospital in an urban area.

Methods And Material: Participants were selected by simple random sampling among HIV positive patients. A predesigned, pretested and self-administered, semi-structured questionnaire in local language was used to assess stigma and discrimination.

Statistical Analysis Used: The data were entered in Microsoft Excel and analyzed with SPSS version 20 statistical software. Simple proportions, mean, standard deviation, median, range and inter-quartile range were calculated.

Results: Of 336 participants, 170 were male, whereas 166 were females. The mean age was 36.42 years. The total mean scores for Berger's HIV stigma scale experienced was 122.82, whereas for individual subscale Personalized stigma, Negative self-image, public attitudes and disclosure of HIV status were 38.31, 27.46, 33.09 and 23.97, respectively. The maximum participants expressed the stigma regarding disclosure concerns (58.63%) followed by negative self-image stigma (43.45%).

Conclusions: Stigma hurdles the delivery of effective medical social care. People Living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) need to have greater involvement in their care, support and treatment. Support groups of PLWHA need to be established so that stigma and discrimination at various levels can be challenged collectively.