Psychosocial Problems Encountered By Art Drug Users: The Case of Debrebireiian Zonal Hospital Amhara Region
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Date
2007-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The threat of psychosocial problems, such as stigma and
discrimination may prevent people living with HIV/ AIDS from
revealing their status to others, and serve as the major barrier to HIV
treatment and ART adherence. The purpose of this study was to
assess whether psychosocial problems existed or not in clients of
ART, and then if it was real, which gender was more susceptible to
the existing problem. In this study, data were analyzed from 165
respondents of male and female respondents who have been
selected purposively from 552 total populations, ART users, at
Debrebrehan Zonal Hospital. Of which 91(55.2%) of respondents
were f emales and 74(44.8%) of them were males. The results of chisquare
analysis for both psychological and social variables are
significant. This is not true for gender analysis. Data were collected
by the use of questionnaires, FGD and in-depth interview. According
to the findings of this study, psychological and social problems, such
as depression, stress, and fe eling of shame, stigma and
discrimination are those that influence access and adherence of ART
significantly. With regards to the services offered and ART related
psychosocial problems of the two genders, it is insignificant. In
conclusion, there are psychosocial problems related to ART drug
access and adherence on h, the users as well as the public. Hence,
providing effective counseling service for ART users, creating
awareness for the public to minimize stigma and discrimination,
social discussion about HIV/ AIDS and its treatment, provision of
adequate education, empathic understanding and social support will
be suggested
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people living with HIV/ AIDS from revealing their status