Volume : 3, Issue : 4, April - 2014

Hiv/Aids stigma of People Living in Poland in Relation to Their satisfaction With Life and Acceptance of illness in the Context of socio–demographic variables

Katarzyna Van Damme Ostapowicz, Agnieszka Pedrycz, Dorota Rogowska Szadkowska, Piotr Siermontowski, Marek Sobolewski, El Bieta Krajewska Ku Ak

Abstract :

The particular character of HIV/AIDS means that this illness causes numerous complications, either medical, legal or social. HIV infection exposes its carriers to frequent acts of intolerance or stigma by the healthy part of the population. METHODS A quantitative study was conducted on 70 people living with HIV/AIDS in Poland. RESULTS The results obtained in the HIV Sigma Scale fell mainly within the range: 130–140 points. Acceptance of illness remained at the level of 20 points. Socio–living conditions affected all the measurements which were analysed. The time of virus diagnosis was a factor influencing the values of the scales which were analysed. Age showed a significant correlation with the illness acceptance level ( p=0,0172*). CONCLUSIONS Respondents showed high stigma levels, while the assessment of their satisfaction with life was low. Respondents accepted their illness to a various extent. Socio–living conditions and the time of virus diagnosis significantly affect all the measurements which were analysed. Age showed a significant correlation with the illness acceptance level.