Date of Conferral

2015

Degree

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)

School

Public Health

Advisor

Sriya Krishnamoorthy

Abstract

HIV-related stigma and discrimination is a complex concept that affects HIV reduction interventions. HIV-related stigma occurs among healthcare providers resulting in reduction of quality of care of people living with HIV. Social psychological research into stigma reduction has led to the development of many stigma reduction interventions, but has not resolved the underlying problem. This study was designed to identify predictors of stigmatizing behavior among healthcare workers in Ghana using the social cognitive theory (SCT) for use in developing an evidence-based intervention. The study used a cross-sectional research design incorporating a preexisting survey, Measuring HIV Stigma and Discrimination Among Health Staff: Comprehensive Questionnaire. Survey data were analyzed using descriptive, multiple regression analysis and Pearson's coefficient to estimate the relationship between the dependent variable, HIV related stigmatizing behavior, and independent variables, personal attributes and environmental factors. The key findings from the analysis were that the personal attributes of healthcare workers predicted their stigmatizing behavior (R2= 0.674, p < 0.05). There was, however, no significant relationship between environmental factors and stigmatizing behavior and between personal attributes and environmental factors. The social change implications may be to reduce stigma among healthcare workers toward people living with HIV and in turn increase the willingness of healthcare workers to engage with people living with HIV and provide quality service to them.

Download

Share

 
COinS