Abstract
Aim
HIV prevalence in Ethiopia is over 7 % in urban areas. Stigma toward people living with HIV and AIDS hampers prevention, seeking care, and treatment.
Subject and methods
In Addis Ababa, in 2009, we conducted 12 focus groups (n = 43), 5 with HIV positive subjects and 7 with subjects of unknown status. Through open-ended questions with directing probes, we evaluated community perception, attitudes, and causes and patterns of stigma towards people living with HIV. We transcribed, coded, analyzed and developed major contextualized themes.
Results
Stigma is pervasive, with a wide range of misconceptions about HIV. Contributing factors are: lack of awareness and education, fear, lack of experience with HIV positive community, and limited knowledge about effective treatment. Most participants believed that the slight positive trend in stigma and discrimination is due to better awareness through media and educational programs, and the increased visibility of the HIV epidemic.
Conclusion
There is a need to improve individual and community knowledge and to reduce misconception using family- and community-oriented educational programs. A multi-disciplinary approach tailored towards Ethiopian society, emphasizing primarily local community initiatives, and applying nation-wide structural and environmental strategies coupled with international efforts, is warranted.
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Acknowledgement
The authors wish to thank Dr. Sofie Mengistu, Medical Director of World Wide Orphan Foundation in Ethiopia, for her outstanding contribution to this project. We also thank staff and community health workers at WWO and community leaders who participated in this study.
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Authors declare no financial or other conflict of interest for this study and manuscript.
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Asgary, R., Amin, S., Grigoryan, Z. et al. Perceived stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV and AIDS in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a qualitative approach. J Public Health 21, 155–162 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-012-0533-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-012-0533-8