Perceptions of HIV positive Women on the Types of Stigmatizations Experienced in Healthcare Settings/ Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Abstract

This study aims to understand the barriers to adherence to humane care and to critically examine the quality of the therapeutic alliance between providers trained in PMTCT, or prevention of mother-to-child transmission, and women living with HIV. Two major groups of barriers were identified: one related to women living with HIV, particularly low self-esteem and feelings, and the other related to their environment, especially provider stigma. These barriers generated opposing forces that negatively influenced adherence to humane care. This is a qualitative, narrative, and participatory study using interviews conducted with a semi-structured interview guide. The population consisted of all women who were seen at the four hospitals in Kinshasa, namely Vijana Hospital Center, Ndjili General Reference Hospital, Mont Amba Hospital Center, and Ngaba General Reference Hospital, from March 15 to September 15, 2024, as well as the providers working in these four hospitals. The sample comprised HIV-positive women from these four hospitals and PMTCT-trained providers working in the same facilities. This research uses Robeyns’s capabilities model. Various perceptions among HIV-positive women were identified, including discrimination, fear, shame, disclosure of status, lack of knowledge and understanding about HIV, as well as forms of stigmatization caused by providers. The results conclude that these different forms of stigmatization experienced by HIV-positive women can lead to harmful consequences within healthcare settings.