The Effects Of Perceived Stigma On Psychological Wellness And Interpersonal Relationships Of Adolescents With HIV/AIDS In Ruiru, Kiambu County, Kenya

Abstract

There are an approximated 2.1 million HIV-positive adolescents in the world and 15% of the HIV-infected females are young women 15 to 24 years old; of these, 80% live in sub-Saharan Africa, hence, HIV predominance among juvenile females of ages 15 to 19 years is very elevated. The UNAIDS Gap Report concluded that there is a gap in provision of psychological services addressing stigma among other reproductive health needs among adolescent girls as they prepare for adulthood. The study used a cross-sectional research design. Three questionnaires were adopted to assess the three variables. Study participants were recruited from adolescents in long-term follow-up in the five HIV Comprehensive Care Centres in Ruiru Sub-County, Kiambu County, Kenya. The sample included 75 adolescents in the age of 12-19 years. Regression analysis was used to check the effect of perceived stigma on psychological wellness and interpersonal relationships. The results revealed that perceived stigma was a significant predictor of psychological wellness, t = -3.293, p = 0.020. The results further showed that perceived stigma was indeed a significant predictor of interpersonal relationships, t = -3.505, p = 0.001. Correlation analysis revealed that psychological wellness and quality of interpersonal relationships are positively related, r = 0.340. Regression analysis results also showed that disclosure, family awareness, friends’ awareness, friends’ emotional support, type of hospital support were significant predictors of psychological wellness and interpersonal relationships. According to the results however, gender was not a significant predictor of psychological wellness and interpersonal relationships.