STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION TOWARDS PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS: A QUALITATIVE STUDY, ISTANBUL/TURKEY

Yıl 2022, Cilt: 6 Sayı: 3, 1091 - 1110, 31.08.2022

Özlem Köseoğlu Örnek , Erdem Sevim

https://doi.org/10.47525/ulasbid.1136554

Öz

Objective: The human immunodeficiency virus remains one of the most important public health problems across the world. It has an important influence on mental and physical health, and social life. Early detection, regular examination, follow-ups, and antiretroviral therapy are preventive in progressing the disease from HIV to AIDS. However, stigma and discrimination are major impediments to cope with HIV and HIV related complications. Thus, it is crucial to understand the perception of stigma and discrimination towards HIV-positive within families, health care settings, communities and workplaces.
Method: A grounded theory-based qualitative analysis was used for data analysis. Purposive and snowball sampling method was used with a semi-structured questionnaire for data collection. The principles of the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) were applied to report the methods and results. MAXQDA21 qualitative program was used for data analysis.
Results: The study consisted of 20 male and 3 female participants aged between 23 and 66 years old. Majority of them were men who have sex with men (69.5%; n:16). All of them, except one, contracted HIV by sexual intercourse. Almost half of them were university graduates; just over 13%(n:3) of them had job security. Two themes and five categories emerged from the codes defined by the data analysis. These themes were as follows: stigma and discrimination; and outcomes including mental health problems.
Conclusions: Almost all participants in this study experienced stigma and discrimination at all levels of life. Their coping strategies and interpretations of HIV/AIDS varied. Mental health problems were main outcome. Providing public engagement and increasing awareness/knowledge through social media, schools, universities, and formal and private communication resources may help them tackle negative life experiences, such as stigma and discrimination. It can be suggested that HIV, which is an important chronic infectious disease in terms of public health, should be included in the education curriculum of health departments.

Anahtar Kelimeler

HIV/AIDS, stigma, discrimination, ART adherence, grounded theory, depression, suicide ideation, social prejudice

Destekleyen Kurum

This study was supported by the Research Fund of Istanbul Bilgi University.

Proje Numarası

Project No. 2017-01.001.

Teşekkür

Special thanks to all the participant and the physicians.

HİV/AİDS İLE YAŞAYAN KİŞİLERE YÖNELİK DAMGALAMA VE AYRIMCILIK: NİTEL BİR ARAŞTIRMA, İSTANBUL/TÜRKİYE

Öz

Amaç: İnsan immün yetmezlik virüsü, dünyadaki en önemli halk sağlığı sorunlarından biri olmaya devam etmektedir. Ruh ve beden sağlığı ile sosyal yaşam üzerinde önemli bir etkiye sahiptir. Hastalığın HİV'den AİDS'e ilerlemesinde erken tanı, düzenli muayene, takip ve antiretroviral tedavi önleyicidir. Bununla birlikte, damgalama ve ayrımcılık, HİV ve HİV ile ilgili komplikasyonlarla başa çıkmada başlıca engellerdir. Bu nedenle, ailelerde, sağlık bakım ortamlarında, topluluklarda ve işyerlerinde HİV pozitiflere yönelik damgalama ve ayrımcılık algısını anlamak çok önemlidir.
Yöntem: Veri analizi için kuram temelli nitel analiz kullanılmıştır. Verilerin toplanmasında yarı yapılandırılmış bir anket ile amaçlı ve kartopu örnekleme yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Yöntem ve sonuçları raporlamak için Niteliksel Araştırma Raporlama için Konsolide Kriterler (COREQ) ilkeleri formu kullanılmıştır. Veri analizi için MAXQDA21 nitel programı kullanılmıştır.
Bulgular: Araştırma, yaşları 23 ile 66 arasında değişen toplam 20 erkek ve 3 kadın katılımcıdan oluşmaktadır. Katılımcıların çoğunluğu homoseksüel erkeklerden oluşmaktadır (%69,5; n:16). Katılımcılardan biri hariç hepsinin cinsel ilişki yoluyla HIV'e yakalandığı görülmüştür. Katılımcıların neredeyse yarısı üniversite mezunudur; %13'ten biraz fazlası (n:3) iş güvencesine sahiptir. Veri analizi sonucunda damgalama ve ayrımcılık, ruhsal sağlık sorunlarını da kapsayan sonuçlar olmak üzere iki tema ve beş kategori ortaya çıkmıştır.
Sonuç: Bu çalışmaya katılanların neredeyse tamamının yaşamın her seviyesinde damgalanma ve ayrımcılığa maruz kaldığı görülmüştür. Başa çıkma stratejileri ve HIV/AIDS ile ilgili yorumları farklılık göstermektedir. Damgalama ve ayrımcılığa maruz kalmanın ruh sağlığı üzerinde önemli etkisi olduğu anlaşılmıştır. Damgalama ve ayrımcılıkla mücadele için halkın katılımını sağlamak, toplumsal farkındalık ve bilincin arttırılması önemli olabilir. Bunun için sosyal medya, okullar, üniversiteler ve resmi ve özel iletişim kaynakları ile işbirliği yapılabilir. Toplum sağlığı açısından önemli bir kronik enfeksiyon hastalığı olan HIV'in özellikle sağlık bölümlerinin eğitim müfredatına dahil edilmesi önerilebilir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

HIV/AIDS, damgalama, ayrımcılık, ART uyumu, gömülü teori, depresyon, intihar düşüncesi, sosyal önyargı

Proje Numarası

Project No. 2017-01.001.

Kaynakça

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