HIV/AIDS STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION AMONG THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN SELECTED RURAL COMMUNITY, KANCHEEPRAM DISTRICT, INDIA.

HEMAMALINI M; SUJATHA T; ANGELIN DHANALAKSHMI; GEETHA K; KANNIAMMAL C

doi:10.22159/ajpcr.2016.v9i6.13872

Authors

HEMAMALINI M SRM college of NursingSRM unIVERSITY http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8228-709X
SUJATHA T
ANGELIN DHANALAKSHMI
GEETHA K
KANNIAMMAL C

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22159/ajpcr.2016.v9i6.13872

Abstract

Community-level stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV is found all over the world, with people forced to leave their home, change their daily activities such as shopping, socializing or schooling, face rejection and verbal and physical abuse. The objective of the study was to assess the HIV/AIDS stigma among the general public. Quantitative approachÂ and descriptive research design was adopted for theÂ present study. The study was conducted in Vallancherry a selected rural village of Kattankulathur . The sample size for the present study was 300. Three point rating scaleÂ was used to assess the HIV/STIGMA and discrimination.

The present study findings revealed that among 300 samples none of them reported severe stigma ,50 (16.7%)Â participants reported moderate stigma and 250 (83.3%)Â participants reportedÂ low stigma. Stigma blocks access to HIV testing and treatment services, making onwards transmission more likely. The removal of barriers to these services is key to end the global HIV epidemic.

Key WordsÂ : HIV, AIDS, Stigma, Discrimination, Rejection

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Author Biography

HEMAMALINI M, SRM college of NursingSRM unIVERSITY

NURSING

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