ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE | May 30, 2020
Stigmatization of People Living with HIV in Medan: A Qualitative Study
Eva Kartika Hasibuan, Novita Aryani, Jek Amidos Pardede, Galvani Volta Simanjuntak
Page no 151-155 |
10.36348/sjnhc.2020.v03i05.001
HIV-related stigma is a psychological challenge in People Living With HIV (PLWH). They have different personal experiences related to the stigma. This study aims to explore personal experiences of PLWH related to HIV stigma. This study is a qualitative study with phenomenological design which was conducted to PLWH in Medan City in the period of Mei 2019. The data were collected through in depth interview and analyzed by performing trial version of Nvivo. Ethical test and inform consent were granted prior to data collection. There were 4 participants in the study and 75% of the respondents were male and 75% of which held higher education degree. It was obtained that the average length of being HIV positive was 2.3 years. Thematic analyses reveable three common stigma received by PLWH: (1) interpersonal stigma (feeling of being stigmatized, Rejected and considered as a disgusting creature), (2) stigma at health facilities (Discriminating look, Verbal abuse, and Delayed service due to their HIV positive status), and (3) self stigma (Avoidance in using the same things with the participants, Delayed service due to their HIV positive status). Findings provide important insights related to design of interventions to reduce stigmatization of PLWH.