The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) on International Zero Discriminatory Day, has disclosed that, there is a high prevalent discriminatory attitudes towards individuals living with HIV in the country.
According to the recent findings, over 70% of both females and males aged 15-49 who are aware of HIV exhibit discriminatory behaviors towards those living with the virus. These discriminatory attitudes manifest in various forms, such as the belief that children living with HIV should be segregated from their HIV-negative peers or reluctance to engage in transactions with individuals who are HIV positive.
The report highlights significant disparities in discriminatory attitudes between rural and urban areas.
” In rural settings, the percentage of individuals exhibiting discriminatory behaviors is notably higher, with over 85% of females and 78% of males holding such attitudes, compared to 73% and 67% respectively in urban areas. Furthermore, regional variations exist, with eight regions reporting that over four in five females aged 15-49 hold discriminatory attitudes towards people living with HIV.”
Education emerges as a pivotal factor influencing discriminatory attitudes, as individuals with higher levels of education display lower levels of prejudice. Notably, the report indicates that the percentage of individuals exhibiting discriminatory behaviors decreases significantly among those with secondary education or higher, compared to those with no formal education or only primary education.
Additionally, wealth plays a crucial role in shaping attitudes towards HIV-positive individuals, with those in the lowest wealth quintile exhibiting the highest levels of discrimination. However, as wealth increases, the prevalence of discriminatory attitudes decreases, with individuals in the highest wealth quintile recording the lowest percentage.
As Ghana commemorates International Zero Discriminatory Day under the theme “Save lives: Decriminalise”.
Read the full statement below
