Stigma and discrimination : the effect on voluntary counseling and testing

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Countries of the world have put in place various interventions in different sectors and categories of the communities to curb the spread of HIV and AIDS and mitigate its impact. Such interventions include prevention activities like HIV testing and counselling (HTC), care, and support and treatment to name a few. People's attitudes and perceptions as well as utilization of the services provided under these interventions have been influenced by different factors. One of these factors is stigma and discrimination.Acts of stigma and discrimination have been observed in different settings, and people who are living with and affected by HIV have expressed the different degrees and forms that various groups and individuals have experienced. The study focused on HIV and AIDS related stigma and discrimination, investigated its degree and the extend in which it affects the utilization of Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) services. The purpose of the study was to ascertain whether stigma and discrimination exists, and in what forms, who is being stigmatised and determine how stigma and discrimination affects the uptake or utilization of the Voluntary Counselling and Testing services at the place of work.The study has revealed that stigma and discrimination exists although it is said to be reduced as expressed by the participants, people who are HIV infected continue to be blamed and labelled and subjected to gossips, rejection by co- workers, families. Self stigmatization has also come up clearly that it does prevail and it also undermines the efforts aim at involving PLHIV in the national response. These forms of discrimination create and fuel fear to those who have not tested. Those who have not tested have expressed fear of rejection, fear of blame, fear of losing lovers and partners and fear of not sure how they would cope with HIV positive status. The study has further revealed that stigma and discrimination still has direct link to the utilization of VCT services. It undermines the efforts intended to halt the spread of the infection, programmes aimed at providing care, support as well as treatment.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University