Abstract:
Background: Perceived stigma among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) is the most
important barriers to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. Fear of being identified as
having HIV may discourage person from getting tested, accessing medical services and obtaining
medications.
Objective: To assess magnitude of Perceived Stigma and associated factors among newly
enrolled HIV Patients (NEHP) attending ART clinics in Jimma town public health facilities 2023
Methods: Facility based cross sectional study design was conducted among 413 newly enrolled
HIV patients attending ART clinics in Jimma town public health facilities from May 7 to June
27, 2023. The sample size was proportionally allocated for each facilities. Systematic random
sampling technique was employed to select study participants. The starting point 2 was taken by
using random number. HIV stigma scale (HSS item) were used to measure perceived stigma. The
data were collected by structured & pretested questionnaire, and checked for its consistency, and
then cleaned, coded, entered into Epi data version 4.6, and exported to SPSS version 23 for
analysis. Prior to logistic regression analysis, the assumption was checked and the data were
qualified for logistic regression. Bivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify
candidate variables at p-value of ˂0.25 and then multivariable logistic regression analysis was
conducted to determine association between perceived stigma and associated factors. Then their
association was declared at p-value of less than 0.05.
Results: The magnitude of perceived stigma among HIV positive patient was 57.9%. Being
female [AOR = 2.49, (95% CI: 1.21,5.10)], Not disclosing HIV status [AOR=3.09,(95% CI of
1.50,6.38)], poor social support [AOR=12.24 ,( 95% CI of 5.89,25.43)], poor HIV knowledge
[AOR=3.51,(95% CI of 1.67,8.14)], Not having exposure to media[AOR= 5.1, (95% CI of
1.17,26.23) ]and not discussing on safer sex [AOR=3.67,(95 % CI of 1.56,8.67)] were the
independent factors associated with HIV related perceived stigma.
Conclusion and Recommendation: This finding revealed that the magnitude of perceived
stigma among newly enrolled HIV patients was 57.9%. Being female, HIV disclosure status,
safer sex discussion, social support status, HIV knowledge and media exposure were factor
identified to be associated with perceived HIV stigma. This study indicated that much work
needs to be done on changing their perceptions. So it is important if Jimma town health office
and Jimma town public health facilities working on HIV/AIDS strengthen HIV status selfdisclosure, knowledge on HIV, social support and discussion on safer sex through media
campaign and counseling in order to decrease the magnitude of perceived HIV stigma among
people living with HIV/AIDS.
