The perception and experience of stigma and discrimination among HIV-positive people at Oshakati ARV Clinic in Oshana Region, Namibia

Date
2011-03
Authors
Nghifikwa, Loide
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The researcher conducted an explorative, qualitative study to identify the perceptions and experiences of stigma and discrimination among people living with HIV and AIDS in order to establish strategies within ARV Clinic to deal with the situation and eliminate this as a barrier to access the services. The study population included 5 men and 5 women who access health services at Oshakati ARV Clinic and have been on ARVs for more than one year, aged 20-60 years old. The study participants were selected using a purposive sampling approach and interviewed in the ARV clinic. The study found that participants have experienced enacted and internal stigma and discrimination related to their HIV status within their community and families. They however did not perceive or report any experiences of stigma and discrimination in the ARV clinic. Possibility exists that the participants might not be well empowered to detect acts of stigma and discrimination in the health care environment.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die navorser het 'n verkennende, kwalitatiewe studie uitgevoer om die waarnemings en ervarings van stigma en diskriminasie tussen mense wat met MIV en VIGS leef, vas te stel met die doel om strategieë te bepaal binne die ARV kliniek om die situasie te hanteer en die hindernes om dienste te bekom te verwyder. Die studiepopulasie het bestaan uit 5 mans en 5 vroue wat die gesondheidsdienste van die Oshakati ARV kliniek gebruik en wat ARV’S vir meer as een jaar gebruik en tussen die ouderdomme van 20-60 jaar is. Die deelnemers is gekies met 'n doelgerigte steekproeftrekking-benadering en onderhoude is gevoer in die ARV-kliniek. Die studie het bevind dat die deelnemers interne stigma en diskriminasie wat verband hou met hul MIV-status binne hul gemeenskap en families ondervind het. Hulle het egter nie aangedui dat hulle stigma en diskriminasie ervaar het by die ARV-kliniek nie. Die moontlikheid bestaan dat die deelnemers nie goed bemagtig is om dade van stigma en diskriminasie in gesondheidsdienste te kan identifiseer nie.
Description
Thesis (MPhil (Industrial Psychology. Africa Centre for HIV/AIDS Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011.
Keywords
Dissertations -- Industrial psychology, Theses -- Industrial psychology, Assignments -- Industrial psychology, Dissertations -- HIV/AIDS management, Theses -- HIV/AIDS management, Assignments -- HIV/AIDS management, HIV-positive people --Namibia -- Oshakati, Stigma, Discrimination
Citation