Effects of Stigmatization on HIV/AIDS Patients
CHAPTERS ONE
Objective of the study
The objectives of the study are;
- To ascertain the effect of stigmatization on the life of HIV/AIDS patient
- To find solution to end stigmatization on HIV/AIDS patient
- To ascertain the perception of patients with HIV/AIDS from stigma
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Stigma Defined HIV/AIDS – related stigma refers to unfavourable attitudes, beliefs, and polices directed towards people perceived to have HIV/AIDS as well as towards their significant others and loved ones, close associates, social groups and communities. It includes prejudice, discounting, discrediting and discrimination directed at people perceived to have HIV or AIDS, and the individuals, groups and communities with which they are associated. These patterns of prejudices play into and strengthen existing social inequalities – especially those of gender, sexuality and race – that are at the root of HIV- related stigma and stigma expression. Stigma expression can be in 3 ways, namely; (a) Instrumental Expression, (b) Symbolic Expression, (c) and Courtesy Expression2 . While Instrumental Stigma expression involves an individual’s concern about the risk of his contacting AIDS including the individuals’ perception of the disease, Symbolic Stigma expression is through political, religions, social or other values. Courtesy expression of stigma involves the stigmatization of people connected to the issues of HIV/AIDS or HIV Positive people for example non governmental organizations. All 3 types of stigma expression have various manifestations.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought to effects of stigmatization on HIV/AIDS patient
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment; the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
DATA ANALYSIS
The data collected from the respondents were analyzed in tabular form with simple percentage for easy understanding.
A total of 133(one hundred and thirty three) questionnaires were distributed and 133 questionnaires were returned.
Gender distribution of the respondents.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was on effects of stigmatization on HIV/AIDS patients. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of effects of stigmatization on HIV/AIDS patients.
Summary
This study was on effects of stigmatization on HIV/AIDS patients. Three objectives were raised which included: To ascertain the effect of stigmatization on the life of HIV/AIDS patient, to find solution to end stigmatization on HIV/AIDS patient and to ascertain the perception of patients with HIV/AIDS from stigma. In line with these objectives, two research hypotheses were formulated and two null hypotheses were posited. The total population for the study is 200 staffs of ministry of health. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made directors, administrative staff, doctors and junior staffs were used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies
Conclusion
Stigma and discrimination has contributed to broken relationship and promotes non-disclosure of HIV status to sexual partners, dissolution of families in Nigeria and lack of proper information on the disease and poor education fuels stigma and discrimination. Despite much efforts that had been channeled towards reducing stigma and discrimination, the problem still persist especially in low resource settings and poorly informed people, it is appalling to see that discrimination still exist within hospital settings which should be examples to the outside world especially among health care workers.
Recommendation
Efforts should be directed towards continuous medical and social education of the health care workers and the general public so as to change the misconceptions and behavior of people toward PLWHA, if we are to arrive at zero new infections we have to ensure that stigma and discrimination is drastically reduced in our society.
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