Stigma among people living with HIV in Northern Egypt

Stigma involves labeling individuals, and associating them with negative behavior, leading to social isolation, stereotypes, loss of status, and discrimination. HIV stigma is considered a major barrier to effective responses to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. We aimed in this study to assess the stigma among people living with HIV (PLWH) in Alexandria, Egypt. We conducted a cross-section study on 785 PLWH attending the HIV unit in Alexandria Fever Hospital. Data collection was done through an interviewing questionnaire and an Arabic-translated version of the standardized, 12-item short version of the HIV Stigma Scale. The stigma scale was highly reliable (alpha coefficient = 0.743). About 72.4% of participants had high stigma with a total stigma score of more than 30. Men showed a higher median stigma score than women (60.8% vs 23.0% respectively recorded a median score of 33 or more). The total stigma score was significantly associated with the male sex and residing in Alexandria city (p= <0.1). In conclusion, PLWH in Egypt experience a significant degree of stigma. These data can guide future health interventions to provide psychological and social support for PLWH.