Impact of Perceived Social Stigma on Self-esteem in Patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Introduction: Psychosocial consequences of Humanity Immunity Virus infection may create more problems than disease itself. One of the psychosocial consequences of perceived social stigma in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is decrease of self-esteem, because this disease has numerous negative effects on self-esteem of patients through cognitive and psychological changes. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between perceived social stigma and self-esteem among patients with AIDS. Methods: This study was conducted with correlation and cross-sectional design. Data were collected from 63 patients with HIV symptoms who referred to Yazd behavioral disease clinic in 2012. These patients were chosen by convenience sampling method. Sample size was determined using Cochran formula. Measuring tools included Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale and Perceived Stigma Questionnaire and reliability of tools was calculated using Alpha Cronbach. Data were analyzed using zero-order Pearson correlation, independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and the hierarchical multiple regression methods. Results: Sixty-three patients (48 men and 15 women) with symptoms of immune deficiency syndrome were studied. Participants aged between 14 and 56 years with an average of 36&plusmn;7.77 years. Mode and number of HIV infection included: drug injection 33 (52.4 percent), sexual intercourse, 17 (27%), unknown 9 (14.3%), blood and blood products 3 (4.8%) and transmission from mother to fetus 1 patients (1.6%). Also, the duration of HIV infection was between 1 and 15 years with an average of 3.15 &plusmn; 7.85. There was no significant difference between men and women with symptoms of immunodeficiency in terms of perceived social stigma. Also, way of contracting the HIV virus did not make a difference in patients' perceived stigma. There was reversed significant correlation between perceived social stigma and self-esteem (P<0.01) and component self &ndash; acceptance (p<0.01). Also, there was reversed significant correlation between components of perceived stigma, personal stigma and self-esteem (P<0.05), and negative self-image and self-esteem (P<0.01). Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that the first group of variables (socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of patients) included in the first stage, did not share in explaining the variance in self-esteem. In the second stage, and with the arrival of perceived social stigma variables in the model, this variable could explain for 23.4% of variance in self-esteem (Adj. R2 = 0.234). Conclusion: Perceived social stigma acts as a risk factor for decease of self-esteem in patients with HIV/AIDS. Therefore, presenting proper socio-cultural interventions to these patients, families and people to correct their beliefs regarding HIV can help promote patients&rsquo; self-esteems