Stigma in People Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Mizoram, Northeast India: A Prospective Observational Study
Author(s)
Rajesh Radhakrishnan, M.PHARM PhD1, Irene Lalhruaimawii, M.PHARM2, Muralidhar Varma Danturulu, MD3, Chandrashekar U K, MD4, Sangthang S, MD5, Richard C Lalramhluna, MD6.
1Pharmacy Practice, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karanataka, India, 2Pharmacy Practice, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, MANIPAL, India, 3Infectious Diseases,, Department of Infectious Diseases, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal - 576 104, Karnataka, India., MANIPAL, India, 4Department of Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal - 576 104, Karnataka, India., MANIPAL, India, 5State Reference Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Civil Hospital, Aizawl - 796 001, Mizoram, India, Aizawl - 796 001, Mizoram, India, India, 6Care, Support and Treatment Division, Mizoram State AIDS Control Society, Aizawl – 796 001, Mizor, Care, Support and Treatment Division, Mizoram State AIDS Control Society, Aizawl – 796 001, Mizoram, India, Aizawl – 796 001, Mizoram, India, India.
1Pharmacy Practice, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karanataka, India, 2Pharmacy Practice, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, MANIPAL, India, 3Infectious Diseases,, Department of Infectious Diseases, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal - 576 104, Karnataka, India., MANIPAL, India, 4Department of Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal - 576 104, Karnataka, India., MANIPAL, India, 5State Reference Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Civil Hospital, Aizawl - 796 001, Mizoram, India, Aizawl - 796 001, Mizoram, India, India, 6Care, Support and Treatment Division, Mizoram State AIDS Control Society, Aizawl – 796 001, Mizor, Care, Support and Treatment Division, Mizoram State AIDS Control Society, Aizawl – 796 001, Mizoram, India, Aizawl – 796 001, Mizoram, India, India.
OBJECTIVES: Worldwide, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a disease with Stigma. Stigma and discrimination are still considered as one of the barriers in people living with HIV (PLHIV) in India. This study was focused to assess determinants of HIV related stigma and its contributing factors among PLHIV in Mizoram in Northeastern part of India.
METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted among 300 PLHIV in ART Center, Kulikawn Hospital, Aizawl Mizoram. HIV stigma scale Questionnaire (HIV-SSQ) was used to assess determinants of HIV related stigma and its contributing factors. Adherence to ART was also assessed using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Statistical Analysis of Chi Square test was used to correlate association between different nominal variables and p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant using SPSS.
RESULTS: Total of 300 PLHIV were enrolled in the study, out of which 176 (58.7%) males and 124 (41.3%) were females. The overall mean stigma score was found to be 17.49 (±10.27) among all the Stigma sub-domain, Internalized stigma domain, male experienced more stigma (aOR= 2.394, CI=1.294 - 4.426, p=0.005) compared to female, while in, Felt-normative stigma domain, 41-50 years of age (aOR= 0.329, CI= 0.110 - 0.985, p= 0.047) had experienced more stigma as compared to 51 years and above. The mean ART adherence level among the PLHIV in Aizawl Mizoram was found to be 94.80 (±9.2 SD), and 132 (44%) of the participants were on ART for more than 36 months. A total of 208 (69.3%) participants had an optimal ART adherence while 92 (30.7%) of them had sub-optimal ART adherence.
CONCLUSIONS: Our study findings show that majority of the PLHIV have low or moderate stigma in real time situation. To reduce HIV related stigma among PLHIV, Clinician should focus on educational interventions, patient centric counselling to ensure psychological well-being of PLHIV.
METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted among 300 PLHIV in ART Center, Kulikawn Hospital, Aizawl Mizoram. HIV stigma scale Questionnaire (HIV-SSQ) was used to assess determinants of HIV related stigma and its contributing factors. Adherence to ART was also assessed using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Statistical Analysis of Chi Square test was used to correlate association between different nominal variables and p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant using SPSS.
RESULTS: Total of 300 PLHIV were enrolled in the study, out of which 176 (58.7%) males and 124 (41.3%) were females. The overall mean stigma score was found to be 17.49 (±10.27) among all the Stigma sub-domain, Internalized stigma domain, male experienced more stigma (aOR= 2.394, CI=1.294 - 4.426, p=0.005) compared to female, while in, Felt-normative stigma domain, 41-50 years of age (aOR= 0.329, CI= 0.110 - 0.985, p= 0.047) had experienced more stigma as compared to 51 years and above. The mean ART adherence level among the PLHIV in Aizawl Mizoram was found to be 94.80 (±9.2 SD), and 132 (44%) of the participants were on ART for more than 36 months. A total of 208 (69.3%) participants had an optimal ART adherence while 92 (30.7%) of them had sub-optimal ART adherence.
CONCLUSIONS: Our study findings show that majority of the PLHIV have low or moderate stigma in real time situation. To reduce HIV related stigma among PLHIV, Clinician should focus on educational interventions, patient centric counselling to ensure psychological well-being of PLHIV.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
PCR221
Topic
Patient-Centered Research
Topic Subcategory
Patient Behavior and Incentives
Disease
Infectious Disease (non-vaccine)