Skip to content
naulon
Get started

No retraction, correction or concern found when last checked on Oct 25, 2026.

Stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV by healthcare providers, Southwest Ethiopia

Garumma T Feyissa, Lakew Abebe, Eshetu Girma and 1 more

BMC Public Health · 2012

doi:10.1186/1471-2458-12-522

Abstract

Background. Stigma and discrimination against people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are obstacles in the way of effective responses to HIV. Understanding the extent of stigma / discrimination and the underlying causes is necessary for developing strategies to reduce them. This study was conducted to explore stigma and discrimination against PLHIV amongst healthcare providers in Jimma zone, Southwest Ethiopia.

Methods. A cross-sectional study, employing quantitative and qualitative methods, was conducted in 18 healthcare institutions of Jimma zone, during March 14 to April 14, 2011. A total of 255 healthcare providers responded to questionnaires asking about sociodemographic characteristics, HIV knowledge, perceived institutional support and HIV-related stigma and discrimination. Factor analysis was employed to create measurement scales for stigma and factor scores were used in one way analysis of variance (ANOVA), T-tests, Pearson’s correlation and multiple linear regression analyses. Qualitative data collected using key-informant interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were employed to triangulate with the findings from the quantitative survey.

Results. Mean stigma scores (as the percentages of maximum scale scores) were: 66.4 for the extra precaution scale, 52.3 for the fear of work-related HIV transmission, 49.4 for the lack of feelings of safety, 39.0 for the value-driven stigma, 37.4 for unethical treatment of PLHIV, 34.4 for discomfort around PLHIV and 31.1 for unofficial disclosure. Testing and disclosing test results without consent, designating HIV clients and unnecessary referral to other healthcare institutions and refusal to treat clients were identified. Having in-depth HIV knowledge, the perception of institutional support, attending training on stigma and discrimination, educational level of degree or higher, high HIV case loads, the presence of ART service in the healthcare facility and claiming to be non-religious were negative predictors of stigma and discrimination as measured by the seven latent factors.

Conclusions. Higher levels of stigma and discrimination against PLHIV were associated with lack of in-depth knowledge on HIV and orientation about policies against stigma and discrimination. Hence, we recommend health managers to ensure institutional support through availing of clear policies and guidelines and the provision of appropriate training on the management of HIV/AIDS.

References 60

  1. 1.

    Herek G Capitanio JP Widaman KF HIV-related Stigma and Knowledge in the United States: Prevalence and Trends, 1991–1999AJPH2002 83574577

    Not in our library10.2105/ajph.92.3.371

  2. 2.

    Niang CI Tapsoba P Weiss E "It's Raining Stones": Stigma, Violence and HIV Vulnerability amongst Men Who have Sex with Men in Dakar, SenegalCult Health Sex2003 56499512

    Not in our library10.1080/1369105031000152715

  3. 3.

    Parker R Aggleton P HIV and AIDS-related Stigma and Discrimination: A Conceptual Framework and Implications for actionSoc Sci Med2003 571324

    Not in our library10.1016/s0277-9536(02)00304-0

  4. 4.

    Piot P How to Reduce the Stigma of AIDS, Keynote AddressAugust 12, 2006: Symposium at the XVI International AIDS Conference, Toronto2006

    Not in our library

  5. 5.

    Banteyerga H Kidanu A Abebe F Perceived Stigmatization and Discrimination by Healthcare Providers towards Persons with HIV/AIDS2005 Miz-Hasab Research Center, Addis Ababa, Intra Health International, USAIDS

    Not in our library

  6. 6.

    Deacon H Boulle A Commentary Factors Affecting HIV/AIDS-Related Stigma and Discrimination by Medical ProfessionalsInt J Epidemiol2006 36185186

    Not in our library10.1093/ije/dyl255

  7. 7.

    Kinsler JJ Wong MD Sayles JN Davis C Cunningham WE The Effect of Perceived Stigma from a Healthcare Provider on Access to Care amongst a Low-Income HIV Positive PopulationAIDS Patient Care Stud2007 218584592

    Not in our library10.1089/apc.2006.0202

  8. 8.

    Holzemer WL Dcur SH Arudo J Rosa ME Hamilton MJ Corless I HIV Stigma and Quality of LifeJ Assoc Nurses AIDS Care2009 203161168

    Not in our library10.1016/j.jana.2009.02.002

  9. 9.

    Rongkavilit C Wright K Chen X Naar-King S Chuenyam T Phanuphak P HIV Stigma, Disclosure and Psychosocial Distress amongst Thai youth living with HIVInt J STD AIDS2010 21126132

    Not in our library10.1258/ijsa.2009.008488

  10. 10.

    Bond V Chase E Aggleton P Stigma, HIV/AIDS and prevention of mother-to-child transmission in ZambiaEval Progr Plann2002 25347356

    Not in our library10.1016/s0149-7189(02)00046-0

  11. 11.

    Nyblade LC Macquarie L Field, Community Involvement in Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) Initiatives. Women, Communities and the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV: Issues and Findings from Community Research in Botswana and Zambia. 2000Washington: International Center for Research on Women

    Not in our library

  12. 12.

    Worku T Utilization of PMTCT Services amongst Pregnant Women in Western RegionExtracts from EPHA-sponsored Masters Theses on HIV/AIDS2008 184

    Not in our library

  13. 13.

    Nyblade L MacQuarrie K Can we Measure HIV/AIDS-related Stigma and Discrimination? Current Knowledge about Quantifying Stigma in Developing Countries2006 Washington, DC: United States Agency for International Development

    Not in our library

  14. 14.
    Discriminatory Attitudes and Practices by Health Workers toward Patients with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria · 2005
    No notice
  15. 15.

    Adebajo SB Bamgbala AO Oyediran MA Attitudes of Healthcare Providers to Persons Living with HIV/AIDS in Lagos State, NigeriaAfr J Reprod Health2003 7110312

    Not in our library10.2307/3583350

  16. 16.
    Discriminatory Attitudes and Practices by Health Workers toward Patients with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria · 2005
    No notice
  17. 17.

    Sadoh AE Fawole AO Sadoh WE Oladimeji AO Sotiloye OS Attitude of Healthcare Workers to HIV/AIDSAfr J Reprod Health2006 1013946

    Not in our library10.2307/30032442

  18. 18.

    Mahendra VS Gilborn L Bharat S Understanding and measuring AIDS-related stigma in health care settings: a developing country perspectiveSAHARA J2007 42616625[PubMed]

    Not in our library10.1080/17290376.2007.9724883

  19. 19.

    Banteyerga H Kidanu A Nyblade L MacQuarrie K Pande R Yichalaliko! Exploring HIV and AIDS Stigma and Related Discrimination in Ethiopia: Causes, Manifestations, Consequences and Coping Mechanism in Ethiopia2004 Addis Ababa: Miz-Hasab Research Center

    Not in our library

  20. 20.

    Li L Wu Z Zhao Y Lin C Detels R Wu S Using Case Vignettes to Measure HIV-related Stigma amongst Health Professionals in ChinaInt J Epidemiol2007 3617884

    Not in our library10.1093/ije/dyl256

  21. 21.

    Diaz NV Neilands TB Development and Validation of a Culturally Appropriate HIV/AIDS Stigma Scale for Puerto Rican Health Professionals in TrainingAIDS Care2009 211012591270

    Not in our library10.1080/09540120902804297

  22. 22.

    Herek GM Mitnick L Burris S AIDS and Stigma: a Conceptual Framework and Research AgendaAIDS Public Policy J1998 13364

    Not in our library

  23. 23.

    Health Policy Initiative, Task Order 1Stigmatization and Discrimination of HIV-Positive People by Providers of General Medical Services in Ukraine2007 Washington, DC: Futures Group, Health Policy Initiative, Task Order 1

    Not in our library

  24. 24.

    Kamau J Odundo P Korir J Measuring the Degree of Stigma and Discrimination in Kenya: An Index for HIV/AIDS Facilities and Providers2007 Washington, DC: Futures Group, Health Policy Initiative, Task Order 1

    Not in our library

  25. 25.

    Tanzania Stigma-indicators Field Test GroupMeasuring HIV stigma: Results of a Field- test in Tanzania2005 Washington, DC: Synergy

    Not in our library

  26. 26.

    Ford K Wirawan DN Sumantera GM Sawitri AA Stahre M Voluntary HIV Testing, Disclosure, and Stigma amongst Injection Drug Users in Bali, IndonesiaAIDS Educ Prev2004 16487498

    Not in our library10.1521/aeap.16.6.487.53789

  27. 27.

    Sayles JN Wong MD Kinsler JJ Martins D Cunningham WE The Association of Stigma and Self-reported Access to Medical Care and Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence in Persons Living with HIV/AIDSJ Gen Intern Med2009 241011011108

    Not in our library10.1007/s11606-009-1068-8

  28. 28.

    Gari T Habte D Markos E HIV Positive Status Disclosure to Sexual Partner amongst Women Attending ART Clinic at Hawassa University Referral hospital, SNNPR, EthiopiaEthiop J Health Dev2010 241914

    Not in our library

  29. 29.

    Ayene A Predictors of HIV Testing amongst Patients in East Gojjam, Northwest Ethiopia-a case–control StudyEPHA-Sponsored Master’s Theses Extracts on HIV/AIDS2010 566810

    Not in our library

  30. 30.

    Maru M Assessment of VCT Utilization and Willingness for Provider- Initiated HIV Counseling and Testing amongst Tuberculosis Patients in Addis AbabaExtracts from EPH-Sponsored Masters Theses on HIV/AIDS2008 54664

    Not in our library

  31. 31.

    Wolfe WR Weiser SD Bangsberg DR Effects of HIV-related Stigma amongst an Early Sample of Patients Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy in BotswanaAIDS Care2006 18931933

    Not in our library10.1080/09540120500333558

  32. 32.

    Obermeyer CM Osborn M The Utilization of Testing and Counseling for HIV: A Review of the Social and Behavioral EvidenceAm J Public Health2007 9717621774

    Not in our library10.2105/ajph.2006.096263

  33. 33.

    Calin T Green J Hetherton J Brook G Disclosure of HIV amongst Black African Men and Women Attending a London HIV ClinicAIDS Care2007 19385391

    Not in our library10.1080/09540120600971224

  34. 34.

    Davey G Teklu T Which factors influence North Ethiopian adults’ use of dual protection from unintended pregnancy and HIV/AIDS?Ethiopian Journal of Health Development2006 223226231

    Not in our library

  35. 35.

    UNAIDSReducing HIV Stigma and Discrimination: a Critical Part of National AIDS Programmes2007 Geneva: Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS

    Not in our library

  36. 36.

    Gupta G Nyblade L Turn the Tide: Tackling HIV Stigma and Discrimination2007 In Commonwealth Health Ministers Book Commonwealth Secretariat: London190193

    Not in our library

  37. 37.

    Dieleman M Biemba G Mphuka S G 'We Are Also Dying Like Any Other People, We Are Also People': Perceptions of the Impact of HIV/AIDs on Health Workers in Two Districts in ZambiaHealth Policy Plan2007 223139148

    Not in our library10.1093/heapol/czm006

  38. 38.

    Uebel KE Nash J Avalos A Caring for the Caregivers: Models of HIV/AIDS Care and Treatment Provision for Healthcare Workers in Southern AfricaJ Infect Dis2007 196S500S504

    Not in our library10.1086/521113

  39. 39.

    Cameron E Legislating an Epidemic: The Challenge of HIV/AIDS in the WorkplaceInternational Labor Organization 6-19-2007, Constitutional Court Justice in South Africa

    Not in our library

  40. 40.
    Combating HIV stigma in health care settings: what works? · 2009
    No notice
  41. 41.

    Mahajan AP Sayles JN Patel VA Stigma in the HIV/AIDS epidemic: a review of the literature and recommendations for the way forwardAIDS2008 22S67S79

    Not in our library10.1097/01.aids.0000327438.13291.62

  42. 42.

    FHAPCOStrategic Plan for Intensifying Multisectoral HIV and AIDS Response in Ethiopia for 2004–2008

    Not in our library

  43. 43.

    Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Ministry of HealthHIV/AIDS and the Health-related Millennium Development Goals: The experience in Ethiopia2010 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Ministry of HealthAccessed February 27,2012].Available from: http://data.unaids.org/pub/Report/2010/20100917_ethiopia_aids_plus_mdgs_en.pdf

    Not in our library

  44. 44.

    FHAPCOReport on Progress towards Implementation of the UN Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS2010

    Not in our library

  45. 45.

    MOHAccelerated Access to HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care and Treatment in Ethiopia. Road Map 2007–20102007

    Not in our library

  46. 46.

    Ethiopian Federal Civil Servants Proclamation No. 262/2002Federal Negarit Gazeta, January 200216708

    Not in our library

  47. 47.

    Ethiopian Federal Civil Service Proclamation No. 515/2007Federal Negarit Gazeta, 19th February, 2007354015

    Not in our library

  48. 48.

    Health Policy Initiative, Task Order 1Measuring the Degree of HIV-related Stigma and Discrimination in Health Facilities and Providers: Working Report2010 Washington, DC: Futures Group, Health Policy Initiative, Task Order 1

    Not in our library

  49. 49.

    Feyissa GT Abebe L Girma E Woldie M Validation of an HIV-related stigma scale among health care providers in a resource-poor Ethiopian settingJ Multidisciplin Healthcare2012 5197113

    Not in our library10.2147/jmdh.s29789

  50. 50.

    Nunnally J Psychometric theory1978 2New York: McGraw Hill

    Not in our library

  51. 51.

    George D Mallery P SPSS for Windows Step by Step: A Simple Guide and Reference2003 4Batson: Allyn and Bacon

    Not in our library

  52. 52.

    Reidpath DD Chan KY A method for the quantitative analysis of the layering of HIVrelated stigmaAIDS Care2005 174425432

    Not in our library10.1080/09540120412331319769

  53. 53.

    Cummins RA On the Trail of the Gold Standard for Subjective Well-beingSoc Indicat Res1995 35179200

    Not in our library10.1007/bf01079026

  54. 54.

    Massiah E Roach TC Jacobs C Stigma, Discrimination, and HIV/AIDS Knowledge amongst Physicians in BarbadosRev Panam Salud Publica2004 166395401

    Not in our library10.1590/s1020-49892004001200005

  55. 55.

    Li L Wu Z Wu S Zhaoc Y Jia M Yan Z HIV-Related Stigma in Healthcare Settings: A Survey of Service Providers in ChinaAIDS Patient Care STDS2007 2110753762

    Not in our library10.1089/apc.2006.0219

  56. 56.

    Jean-Baptiste R HIV/AIDS-related Stigma, Fear, and Discriminatory Practices amongst Healthcare Providers in RwandaOperations Research Results. Published for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) by the Quality Assurance Project2008 Bethesda, MD: University Research Co., LLC

    Not in our library

  57. 57.

    Hossain MB Kippax S Discriminatory Attitudes of Health Workers towards HIV-infected personsJ Health Popul Nutr2010 282199207

    Not in our library10.3329/jhpn.v28i2.4892

  58. 58.

    Umeh NC Essien JE Ezedinachi NE Ross WM Knowledge, Beliefs and Attitudes about HIV/AIDS-related Issues, and the Sources of Knowledge amongst Healthcare Professionals in Southern NigeriaJ R Soc Health2008 1285233239

    Not in our library10.1177/1466424008092793

  59. 59.

    Andrewin A Chien LY Stigmatization of patients with HIV/AIDS among doctors and nurses in BelizeAIDS Patient Care STDs2008 2211897906[PubMed]

    Not in our library10.1089/apc.2007.0219

  60. 60.

    Vyas KJ Patel GR Shukla D Mathews WC A Comparison in HIV-associated Stigma amongst Healthcare Workers in Urban and Rural GujaratJ Soc Aspects HIV/AIDS2010 727175

    Not in our library10.1080/17290376.2010.9724959

Reads

Read by people on this page

None yet.

Checked or read by AI through naulon

None yet.

A person counts once a day per paper. We keep no cookie and no address: a reader is a hash that changes every day. Any month under five reads shows no number.

Are you an author?

Is this your paper?

Claim it to add your note and be paid when agents cite it. Free.