GENDER RELATED BARRIERS AMONG HIV INFECTED INDIVIDUALS

Late detection of HIV infection still remains serious problem for Georgia. During the last years prevalence and late detection of HIV infection is increasing among females and therefore, attempts to implement services adapted to female needs have significantly increased. It is essential to conduct research to create a basis for country's national response of HIV infection to become more gender sensitive. The goal of our study was to conduct survey among HIV-positive individuals to identify potential gender-based barriers and contributing factors that might influence timely diagnosis and treatment of HIV infection. Cross sectional study design was used. Target population included HIV-infected persons. Study subjects were selected by simple random sampling. Study participants were sampled from the registry of HIV infected patients. Quantitative data were collected through individual, face-to-face interviews, using specially designed questionnaire for this study. In total 182 HIV-infected individuals participated in survey, of whom 74 (40.6%) were females and 108 (59.6) were males. The level of awareness and knowledge on HIV/AIDS was similar in both male and female HIV positive individuals, although a higher proportion of men than women have heard of HIV/AIDS before their diagnosis. HIV infection is more stigmatizing for women than men. Fear of being abandoned by both community and family due to HIV/AIDS diagnosis was higher among female respondents. Higher proportion of male respondents than women reported an illness-related unemployment. Women were more likely to hide their diagnosis from other people compared to men. Higher proportion of female compared to male respondents reported notifying family members about their HIV status. Significantly higher proportion of female HIV-infected individuals have been accompanied by a family member on visit to physician due to HIV/AIDS compared to male HIV-infected respondents. A higher proportion of men than women reported an interruption/discontinuation of treatment regimen. Georgia has ensured free and unrestricted access to HIV service for all HIV infected individuals in the country. However, the stigma related to HIV still creates barriers to service utilization. Therefore, HIV national program should continue implementation of focused and concerted interventions to improve HIV awareness among gender populations.