HIV/AIDS STIGMA AND DEPRESSION AMONG INJECTING DRUG USERS IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the role of HIV/AIDS stigma in development of depression among people suffering from HIV/AIDS due to injecting drug use.

Design: Correlational Study. 

Place of Study and duration: Institute of Clinical Psychology during the year 2017.

Subjects and Method: Data were collected through purposive sampling from 150 male participants of 25 years- 45 years (Mean age=31.65, SD=5.887) infected with HIV/AIDS due to injecting drug use. The participants were approached from HIV/AIDS treatment center at Civil Hospital, Karachi. Scales used to measure the variables of HIV/AIDS stigma, Urdu translation of HIV Stigma Scale and for depression Siddiqui-Shah Depression Scale were used. Information was gathered through individual administration of the scales in the form of interviews.

Results and Conclusion: Regression analysis indicated that HIV/AIDS stigma contributed to 40.6% of the variance in depression among people infected with HIV/AIDS due to injecting drug use. Further, factor based regression analysis indicated that among the four aspects (personalized stigma, disclosure concerns, negative self-image and concern with public attitudes toward people with HIV/AIDS) of HIV/AIDS stigma, there is a predictive association between negative self-image and depression in people infected with HIV/AIDS due to injecting drug use. The study indicates the increasing need to focus on the psychosocial aspect of HIV/AIDS. HIV/AIDS and injecting drug use have serious medical implications for the patients and when these patients have to suffer the stigma of having these medical problems, it adds to their psychological disturbance ultimately resulting in the development and worsening of depression.