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Zerihun Ataro,1 Melkamu Merid Mengesha,2 Aklilu Abrham,3 Tesfaye Digaffe4 1Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia; 2School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia; 3School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia; 4Department of Human Resource Development, Federal Ministry of Health, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Zerihun AtaroDepartment of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, P.O. Box 235, Harar, EthiopiaEmail zerihunataro@yahoo.comBackground: HIV/AIDS is among the most devastating diseases, having multiple effects on the health and well-being of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). There is a paucity of studies that examined the gender differences in perceived stigma among PLWHA and the different coping strategies that they use in Ethiopia.Objective: To assess the gender differences in perceived stigma and coping strategies among PLWHA.Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted at Jugal Hospital, Harar, eastern Ethiopia from May 01 to July 30, 2018. A total of 412 (206 females and 206 males) PLWHA were included. Face-to-face interviewer-administered data were collected. Perceived HIV stigma was assessed using the Berger HIV stigma scale. Similarly, the coping strategies were assessed using the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (Brief COPE) scale. The data were analyzed using STATA version 13.Results: The mean Berger stigma scale score was 65.3± 11.3. The overall perceived stigma mean score was not statistically different between males and females (64.8± 10.8 vs 65.8± 11.7, p=0.407). Among the four subscales, women reported a higher level of disclosure stigma than men (21.1± 5.5 vs 20.3± 5.5; p=0.006). Regarding maladaptive coping strategies, men often used substances compared to women (2.8± 1.5 vs 2.1± 0.4; p< 0.001). However, women use behavioral disengagement (4.6± 1.1 vs 4.2± 1.1; p=0.002) and self-distraction (5.9± 1.5 vs 5.5± 1.7; p=0.019) more often than men. Females used a higher level of adaptive coping strategies compared to males (42.5± 4.9 vs 40.9± 6.3, p=0.005). Furthermore, females were found to use more emotional-focused coping than males (27.6± 3.2 vs 26.4± 4.0; p< 0.001).Conclusion: Women reported a higher level of disclosure stigma than men and the types of coping strategies used vary between male and female. Thus, interventions to support PLWHA must take into account the gender differences in terms of perceived stigma.Keywords: perceived stigma, coping strategies, PLWHA, Ethiopia |
