Internalised and social experiences of HIV-induced stigma and discrimination in urban Ghana

Authors

Abdul Alhassan MUMIN, Department of Geography and Rural Development, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
Razak Mohammed GYASI, Department of Sociology and Social Policy, Lingnan University, Hong Kong
Alexander Yao SEGBEFIA, Department of Geography and Rural Development, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
David FORKUOR, Department of Geography and Rural Development, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
John Kuumuori GANLE, Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana

Document Type

Journal article

Source Publication

Global Social Welfare

Publication Date

3-5-2018

Volume

Advance online publication

Publisher

Springer

Keywords

Emotional well-being, HIV-related stigma, Lived experiences, People living with HIV, Political commitment, Social and health policy

Abstract

HIV-induced stigma and discrimination remain a prevalent global challenge especially in low-income countries which may compromise the emotional and social well-being of people living with HIV (PLHIV). Despite the efforts so far, the incidence of HIV-related stigma remains high in Ghana. Drawing on the Goffman’s theory of social stigma and interpretivist research paradigm, the paper explores the lived experiences of 123 PLHIV in HIV-endemic cities in Ghana. Findings suggest that PLHIV largely suffer from three levels of stigma—internal, received and associated—with complex discriminatory dimensions. PLHIV are stigmatised and discriminated against at home, in the community and in institutional settings. This is manifested through familial neglect, social exclusion and poor access to jobs and health services. These prejudices presaged suicidal ideations, non-disclosure of HIV serostatus, poor adherence to treatment interventions and further spread of the epidemic. Progressive social and health policy framework and programmes on eradicating HIV are pressing. These should conspicuously include HIV-related stigma and discrimination through behavioural change and culturally acceptable public education about the myths and realities surrounding HIV in order to mitigate the associated debilitating outcomes.

DOI

10.1007/s40609-018-0111-2

E-ISSN

21968799

Publisher Statement

Copyright © Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature 2018. Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.

Full-text Version

Publisher’s Version

Language

English

Recommended Citation

Mumin, A. A., Gyasi, R. M., Segbefia, A. Y., Forkuor, D., & Ganle, J. K. (2018). Internalised and social experiences of HIV-induced stigma and discrimination in urban Ghana. Global Social Welfare. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1007/s40609-018-0111-2