Samuel Ampadu Dwamena
New Horizon Foundation (NGO),BOX 568 Konongo,Ghana,West Africa
Title: psychosocial perspective of stigmatization and Discrimination of persons Living With HIV/AIDS
Biography
Biography: Samuel Ampadu Dwamena
Abstract
The study aimed at exploring the psychosocial perspectives of stigmatization and discrimination of Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in the Asante Akim Municipality with Konongo Municipal Hospital in focus. The research design employed was the descriptive survey using the explanatory mixed method approach which utilized questionnaire and interview as the research instruments for data collection. Four (4) research questions and three (3) hypotheses were developed. Fifty-three (53) participants comprising fifty-one (51) PLWHA and two (2) HIV counsellors were sampled using the convenience, purposive, and snowball sampling techniques. Data were analyzed using inferential statistics (t-test & regression) to test the hypotheses while the qualitative data were analysed thematically with verbatim quotations from participants to support issues as they emerged. The study revealed that PLWHA are not stigmatized and discriminated against even though such stigmatization and discrimination exist in the areas of employment and workplace, community contexts, family contexts, individual liberties, and access to healthcare. Accepting one’s current HIV status was realized to be one of the strategies that help PLWHA to cope. As a care and support system, the study revealed that drugs and other logistics are given to PLWHA at a discount, and the counsellors attended to PLWHA to empathize with them. It is therefore recommended, the local authorities together with the District Ghana AIDS Commission should strengthen the awareness creation on the need for harmonious living with PLWHA in the community and the District Ministry of Health should employ more health personnel to engage in follow ups.