Assessment of Workplace Stigma and Discrimination among People Living with HIV/AIDS Attending Antiretroviral Clinics in Health Institutions in Enugu, Southeast Nigeria
OBJECTIVE:
The
onset of HIV/AIDS has increased stigma and discrimination at
workplaces, making those with these ailments worried about going to work to
avoid being victimized. Most previous works focussed on stigma and
discrimination in the communities with little emphasis on what occurs in the
workplaces. This study assessed the prevalence of workplace stigma and
discrimination among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) attending antiretroviral (ARV)
clinics in health institutions in Enugu, southeast Nigeria.
METHODS:
A
cross-sectional descriptive study was done between February and May of 2014
using a self-administered questionnaire to assess 489 PLWHA attending ARV
clinics.
RESULTS:
Out of
489 studied, 255 (52.1%) were females. About 23.7% said being HIV positive had affected their relationship with
other workers and 20.7% were blamed for their condition. Some were not given
time off to go to hospital (72.5%). The commonest fears of PLWHA were
stigmatization/discrimination from other workers (78.1%) and dying from the
disease (62.8%). Gender did not significantly affect the way PLWHA were
stigmatized or discriminated against in their workplaces. However, those who
were employed in private establishments were more likely to have their schedule
changed due to their status compared to government employees (p < 0.01).
Other discriminating practices were not significantly different between
government and private employees.
CONCLUSION:
The
prevalence of stigma and discrimination in workplaces is high. Efforts should
be made by agencies to reduce such social problems in the workplace since they
can affect overall management and productivity.
- 1Department of Community Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria. enaguwa@yahoo.com.
- 2Department of Community Medicine, Enugu State University College of Medicine, Parklane, Enugu, Nigeria.
- 3Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
- 4Department of Community Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
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