EFFECTS OF

STIGMATISATION ON
THE PSYCHOSOCIAL
WELLBEING
OF MEN LIVING WITH
HIV/AIDS IN KAIMOSI
By

ABEDNEGO JUMA -
 EUNICE
NYARIKI -
TANIA
SHIUNDU -
JUSTIN
NYAKONDO -
A project work submitted
in the partial fulfilment of
the Bachelor of Science
in Nursing in the
department of health
sciences, Kimosi Friends
University, Vihiga Kenya.

JULY 2024
 EFFECTS
OF STIGMATISATION
ON THE
PSYCHOSOCIAL
WELLBEING
OF MEN LIVING WITH
HIV/AIDS IN KAIMOSI
By
ABEDNEGO JUMA -
EUNICE
NYARIKI -
TANIA
SHIUNDU -
JUSTIN
NYAKONDO
Department of Nursing
Kaimosi
Friends University,
Kaimosi, Vihiga County
CERTIFICATION
This is to certify that this
project work was carried
out by Abednego Juma,
Eunice Nyariki, Tania
Shiundu and Justin
Nyakondo in the
department of Nursing,
Kaimosi Friends
University, Kaimosi, Vihiga
County. We certify this
work has not been
previously published.

NAME
SIGN
DATE
Student names
Abednego Juma
………………………….
……………………………

Eunice Nyariki
..……………………….
…………………………….
Tania Shiundu
...……………………….
…………………………..

Justin Nyakondo
………………………….
……………………………

Chief Supervisor
Dr Okenwa Vincent
Emmanuel
……………………….
…………………………….

Chair of
Department
Dr Anne Asiko
………………………..
……………………………….
DEDICATION
The research project is
dedicated to all men living
with HIV/AIDS in Kaimosi
Kenya, our supervisor Dr
Okenwa Vincent, the chair
of department of Nursing
Dr Anne asiko and our
parents and guardians
who inspired and
encouraged during our
research period.
We would also dedicate
his work to our colleagues
whose expertise and
guidance were
instrumental in shaping
our research skills and
knowledge.
Lastly, we would like to
dedicate this research
work to those men
infected by HIV/AIDS. We
hope that this research
work will contribute to
the advancement of
knowledge and eventually
lead to a positive change
among affected
individuals.
Thank you all for your
unwavering support
throughout the research
period.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We would like to sincerely
express our gratitude to
all the following
individuals who played a
significant role in the
project :
First and foremost, we
would like to thank God
for keeping us healthy to
be able to complete this
project with success.
We would also like to
thank our able Dean, Dr
Okenwa Vincent for his
unwavering support,
guidance and
encouragement during
our research period.
Lastly, we would like to
thank our family and
friends who gave us
material and emotional
support during our
research period helping us
finalize our work in the
required time frame.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter one :
Introduction
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background to
study
1.2 Statement of
problem
1.3 Purposes of
study
1.4 Research
questions
1.5 Significance of
study
1.6 Scope or
delimitation of
study
1.7 Conclusion
Chapter Two :
Literature Review
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Literature revie
2.3 Gap in
knowledge
2.4 Conclusion
Chapter Three :
Materials and
Methods
3.0 Introduction
3.1 Area of study
3.2 research stusy
resign
3.3 Description of
methods
 3.3.1 Study
population
3.3.3.1
Inclusion criteria
3.3.3.2
Exclusion criteria
3.3.2 Study
sample and sampling
tecnique
 3.3.2.1
Sample size
determination
3.3.2.2
Sampling technique
3.3.3
Procedure for data
collection
 3.3.4
Instruments for data
collection
3.4 Summary of
methods
3.5 Technique
for validation of
instruments
 3.6 Procedures
for data management,
analysis and
presentation
3.6.1
Procedure for data
storage and
management
3.6.2
Procedure for data
analysis and
presentation
3.7 Ethical
consideration
3.8 Expected
findings and relevance
to knowledge
3.9 Conclusion
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
HIV - Human
Immunodeficiency
AIDS - Acquired Immune
Deficiency Syndrome
UNAIDS - Joint United
Programme on HIV/AIDS
UN - United Nations
ART - Antiretroviral
therapy
PLHIV - People living
with HIV/AIDS
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Stigma : Unfavorable
attitudes and beliefs
directed towards
someone or a group of
people with particular
circumstances.
Psychosocial : Is the
interaction between
social and psychological
factors.
Mental health : State of
mental wellbeing that
enables people cope with
life stressors.
Endemic : The habitual
presence of a disease in a
certain geographical
location.
Prevalence : The number
of new and old disease
cases.
Antiretroviral therapy : Is
a group of drugs used in
management of HIV/AIDS
clients.
Discrimination :
Prejudiced treatment of
people based on their
age, sex, race or social
class.
Coping strategies : Are
consciuos or unconsciuos
starategies used to relieve
emotional stress.
Cultural norms : Are a set
of beliefs and practices
shared by members of a
society.
Ostracization : Exclusion
from a group or society
Prejudice : Preconceived
opimion not based on
actual experience. Self
esteem : Is the overall
sense a person has of his
or her own worth.
Depression : A mood
disorder that causes
persistent feeling of
sadness and lack of
enthusiasm and
motivation to carry out
daily activities.
Triangulation : Is the use
of multiple methods or
data sources in qualitative
research to develop a
comprehensive
undersatnanding of a
phenomena.
Strata : Are small
subgroups that share
ABSTRACT

Background
Stigmatization remains a
pervasive issue for men
diagnosed with HIV/AIDS,
significantly impacting
their psychosocial
wellbeing and access to
healthcare.
Stigma remains a
significant barrier to
effective prevention,
treatment and care
modalities worldwide.
Despite advancements in
medical understanding of
disease and the
treatment,
men living with HIV/AIDS
continue to face profound
social, economic and
psychological challenges
due to stima and
discrimination.
Stigma manifests throuh
fear,misinformation and
prejudice leading to
ostracization, denial of
healthcare services and
reduced quality of life.
Understanding the
complex dynamics of
HIV/AIDS stigma is crucial
for developing targetted
interventions and
supportive
policiespromoting
inclusivity, dignity and
equitable access to
healthcare for PLHIV.

Purpose
This study examines the
multifaceted effects of
stigma on the
psychosocial wellbeing of
men living with HIV/AIDS
in Kaimosi.

Methods
A mixed method
approach was employed.
Cross sectional survey, in
depth interviews and
focus group discussions
were employed during
our research studies of
385 adult men living with
HIV/AIDS in Kaimosi.

Results
The study revealed
pervasive levels of
stigmatization
experienced by men living
with IV/AIDS across
Kaimosi town.
Quantitative analysis of
survey data (n=385)
Indicated that 65% of
respondents reported
encountering stigma and
discrimination in hospital
and work place settings
that is significantly
associated with increased
levels of psychologigal
distress including elevated
levels of depression and
anxiety.

Conclusion
The effects of
stigmatisation on the
psychosocial wellbeing of
men living with HIV/AIDS
is profound.
Stigmatization
exacerbates psychological
distress and creates
barrier in accessing
healthcare services. The
high level prevalence of
stigma reported by
participants reflects on
peristent misconceptions
and discriminatory
attitudes towards
HIV/AIDS hindering goal
to achieve equaitable
health. Addressing stigma
requires comprehensive
strategies that promote
education, advocacy and
community engagement
to foster empathy, reduce
prejudice and enhance
social support networks.
By challenging stigma and
promoting inclusive
practices, we can create
environments that uphold
dignity and wellbeing of
men living with HIV/AIDS,
ultimately contributing to
better healthcare
outcomes and quality of
life.