Title: HIV STIGMA
Authors: Niwamanya Juma Bashir
Volume: 8
Issue: 8
Pages: 117-119
Publication Date: 2024/08/28
Abstract:
The abstract highlights the current situation regarding HIV/AIDS, which has been turned into a chronic and manageable condition due to significant efforts to address the causes and adverse effects. However, stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV (PLHIV) are still prevalent, impeding access to effective prevention and treatment services. It is estimated that 50-60% of PLWHA are unaware of their sero-status due to the fear of stigma and discrimination, leading to delays in seeking care, HIV counseling and testing, and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART).The abstract further explores the relationship between mental disorders (such as depression, alcohol use disorders, and neurocognitive disorders) and HIV/AIDS, which exacerbates the stigma and discrimination faced by PLHIV. Evidence suggests that 30-54% of PLHIV have reported point prevalence rates of at least one major depressive disorder, and the progress from HIV to AIDS is faster for depressed PLHIV compared to non-depressed PLHIV.The abstract highlights the need to examine the prevalence of mental illness among soldiers living with HIV (LHIV) in the Ugandan Armed Forces, as this population has not received much attention. The study aims to compare the adherence levels of mentally ill and non-mentally ill HIV-positive soldiers in terms of ART uptake, utilization of HIV counseling and testing services, suicidal ideation, and timeliness of HIV/AIDS care seeking.