A Study of University Students' Knowledge and Attitude and Their Experiences in Relation to Stigma and Discrimination Attached to Hiv And Aids
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Date
2007-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study was conducted to investigate the students' knowledge on HIV and AIDS and
to assess if they have discriminatory attitude attached to HIV and AIDS and towards
PLWHA in Ambo town. The study also attempted to compare the level of stigma and
discrimination between female and male students. Moreover, the study aimed at
examining the experience of pumA in relation to stigma and discrimination attached to
HIV and AIDS. 264 JUAC students and three PLWHA participated in this study.
Questionnaire, focus group discussion and case study were used as an instrument for
the data collection. The collected data were treated with percentage and using Chisquare.
The findings of these study shows that JUA C students have adequate knowledge
and awareness about HIV and AIDS issues and the students did not hold stigmatizing and
discriminatory attitudes on HIV and AIDS and towards PLWHA. In addition, the study
revealed that female and male students did not manifest significantly different
stigmatizing and discriminatory attitudes in relation to HIV and AIDS and towards
PL WHA. The non-discriminatory attitude of the students can also be attributed to the
awareness and knowledge on issues of HIV and AIDS. The study also found out that, even
though, PLWHA are found to be subject to different types and forms of discrimination in
the community, the magnitude of the stigma and discrimination is reducing. The study
also uncovered that, the basis for HIV and AIDS related stigma and discrimination were
found to be misconception and lack of knowledge about HIV and AIDS, fear of contagion
through causal contact and insensitive media reporting on the pandemic. Therefore, to
minimize the stigma and discrimination attached to HIV and AIDS it was suggested that,
well-designed and participatory awareness creation programs need to be strengthened
and professional pre and post test HIV counseling for those affected and infected with
HIV needs to be given. In addition the content of the information provided through the
media should be carefully evaluated and checked for its appropriateness not to inflict
stigma and discrimination before broadcasting.
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Keywords
Relation to Stigma and, Discrimination Attached to Hiv And Aids