EC Neurology

Editorial Volume 13 Issue 9 - 2021

Factors Associated with HIV-Related Perceived Stigma among HIV-Positive Youths Attending ART Follow-Up in Jimma Town Public Health Facilities, Southwest Ethiopia

Derara Girma 1*, Hiwot Dejene1 , Leta Adugna1 and Bilisumamulifna Tefera2

1 Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Salale University, Fitche, Ethiopia 2 Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Mettu University, Mettu, Ethiopia

*Corresponding Author: Derara Girma, Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Salale University, Fitche, Ethiopia.
Received: July 30, 2021; Published: August 27, 2021



Introduction: Youth living with HIV (age 15 - 24) had a higher risk of HIV-related stigma than any older age group. As well, HIV- related stigma is the main risk factor for adverse outcomes among HIV-positive youths. However, the magnitude and factors associ- ated with perceived stigma among HIV-positive youths in Ethiopia have not been extensively quantified so far. Therefore, site-specific evidence is vital to identify factors associated with perceived stigma among HIV-positive youths

Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2020 to June 2020 among 341 HIV-positive youths on anti-retroviral therapy follow-up. Participants were selected using a systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected using interviewer-administered techniques and medical record review. The collected data were entered into Epi Data 3.1 and ex- ported to SPSS version 22 for analysis. The Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% CI was used to measure the association along with a respective p-value < 0.05 to identify statistically significant variables in the multivariable logistic regression.

Results: A total of 325 HIV-positive youths have participated in this study with a response rate of 95.3%. The magnitude of perceived stigma among HIV-positive youths was 63.15 (95% CI: 57.2, 68.0). In multivariable analysis, rural resident (AOR = 2.55, 95%CI: 1.37 - 4.74), HIV serostatus nondisclosure (AOR = 2.84, 95%CI: 1.55 - 5.19), poor antiretroviral treatment adherence (AOR = 2.52, 95%CI: 1.18-5.38), TB co-morbid (AOR = 2.27, 95%CI: 1.04 - 4.98), and less than one year since diagnosed with HIV/AIDS (AOR = 1.90, 95%CI: 1.10 - 3.28) were factors independently associated with perceived stigma.

Conclusion: This finding confirmed that HIV-positive youths in the study area experienced a high magnitude of perceived stigma. For stigma to be declined, giving notable consideration to factors significantly associated with stigma would be beneficial.

Keywords: Stigma; HIV; Adolescent; Youth; Ethiopia

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Derara Girma., et al. “Factors Associated with HIV-Related Perceived Stigma among HIV-Positive Youths Attending ART Follow-Up in Jimma Town Public Health Facilities, Southwest Ethiopia”. EC Neurology 13.9 (2021): 37-47.

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