ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Few results are available describing the experiences of people living with HIV/AIDS in health care setting in Zambia. Describing and understanding the experiences of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in health care settings would allow the Zambian health system to improver position health interventions to maximally benefit the PLWHA. The objective of this study is to describe experiences of PLWHA while accessing HIV and family planning services (health care settings) in Kapiri-Mposhi, Zambia from the time they were diagnosed with HIV to 2011.
A cross-sectional descriptive study of experiences of PLWHA was conducted while accessing HIV and family planning services (in a health care setting) in Kapiri-Mposhi, Zambia from the time they were diagnosed with HIV to 2011. Data was collected from a convenient sample of 100 PLWHA attending HIV and/or family planning services on the dates of interviews by administering a questionnaire. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistical methods and presented in figures and tables in the text.
PLWHA still experience stigma and discrimination in health care setting related to: disclosure of their HIV status without consent, being coerced into taking an HIV test and being denied services, including family planning services. More education is needed for the health care workers in order to reduce HIV-related stigma and discrimination.