Nursing Students’ Perception on Stigma towards People Living with HIV/AIDS

Abstract

Stigma in a person is resulted by many forms and conditions such as physical deformity, chronic illness, or actions that were deemed negative from its environment. People living with HIV/ AIDS (PLWHA) experienced stigma which leads to a barriers in receiving health services. The nursing students’ understanding about PLWHA affected their attitude in delivering health services during clinical practice. The purpose of this research was to investigate the difference of stigma towards PLWHA perceived by nursing students before and after health education regarding HIV and AIDS. The method used in this research was pre-experimental with one group pre- test-post test design. Result of this study found that from the total respondents of 93, there were 67 (72,04%) respondents had a perception on stigma towards PLWHA before health education was given. As a result of health education regarding HIV and AIDS given, the number of respondents who have a perception on stigma towards PLWHA decreased to 24 (25,80%) respondents. There is a difference of nursing students’ perception on stigma towards PLWHA before and after health education about HIV/AIDS. It may concluded that health education regarding HIV/AIDS for nursing students is essential, furthermore could be considered in fostering their positive attitude on stigma towards PLWHA.