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Stigmatization And Discrimination As Predictors Of Self-Esteem Among People Living With Hiv / Aids In Islamabad

Authors

Arshia Bilal
1Associate Professor Community Medicine, Fazaia Medical College, Air University
Asifa Afzal
Assistant Professor, Community Medicine, HITEC-IMS
Alishba Rashid
Community Medicine, Fazaia Medical College
Aleena Fatima
Community Medicine, Fazaia Medical College
Maarij Khan
Community Medicine, Fazaia Medical College
Haris Malik
Professor Community Medicine, Fazaia Medical College
Shoaib Bukhari
Community Medicine, Fazaia Medical College
Shazmina Moeed
PAF Hospital, Islamabad

Abstract

Background: Society's negative attitudes and beliefs towards people living with HIV/AIDS can lead to stigmatization, which results in exclusion, shame, and discrimination, and can harm the self-esteem and well-being of people living with HIV (PLHIV). This study seeks
Objective: This study seeks to find out the correlation of various types of discrimination and stigma with self-esteem among PLHIV
Study Design: Analytical, cross-sectional study.
Place and duration of Study: Islamabad, 01 year (September 2022 to October 2023).
Methodology: Semi-structured questionnaires translated in URDU were used to collect the data through interview by the researchers themselves. The analysis was done using SPSS version 23.0, keeping the alpha at 5%.
Results: Stigma (r=-.268*, p=0.025), self-discrimination (r=-.252*, p=0.035) and discrimination from friends and family (r=-.335**, p=0.005) experienced by PLHIV showed a significantly inverse correlation with their self-esteem.
Conclusion: The study highlights a significant inverse relationship between stigma and discrimination (self-discrimination and family/friends’ discrimination) with self-esteem of PLHIV. To address this, public health authorities should device community education initiative to reduce stigma and discrimination towards PLHIV. Promoting awareness among the general community and PLHIV can enhance the self-esteem in affected individuals and thereby contributing towards the achievement of National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) objectives.
Keywords: Discrimination, PLHIV, HIV, Self-esteem, Stigma.

How to cite this article

Bilal A, Afzal A, Rashid A, Fatima A, Khan M, Malik H, Bukhari S, Moeed S. Stigmatization and Discrimination as Predictors of Self-esteem among People Living with HIV /AIDS in Islamabad . HMDJ. 2025 December; 05(02): 54-58.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.69884/hmdj.5.2.2759

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