Magnitude of Perceived stigma and associated factors among newly enrolled HIV patients attending ART clinics in Jimma town public health facilities Jimma, South west Ethiopia

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.