HIV/AIDS-related stigma and its associated prejudice and discrimination

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: From the moment scientist identified HIV and AIDS, social responses of fear, denial, stigma and discrimination have accompanied the epidemic. Many people who are HIV positive are too scared to tell others because they fear isolation and rejection. South Africa has reported a large number of incidents of stigma. These include, not allowing HIV positive children into schools (Sapa, 2002; Streak, 2001a), exclusions or attempted exclusions from the workplace (Ngqalaza, 2000a; Viol, 2000), within military services (Ngqalaza, 2000b) etc. On the other hand children orphaned by AIDS experience stigma and discrimination because they face verbal discrimination at schools and in the community (Streak 2001b). At an individual level stigma undermines the person‟s identity and capacity to cope with the disease.Stigma and discrimination play significant roles in the development and maintenance of the HIV epidemic. It is well documented that people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) experience stigma and discrimination on an ongoing basis. This impact goes beyond people infected with HIV to reach broadly into the society, both disrupting the functioning of communities and complicating prevention and treatment of HIV. While there are many instances for compassion and support towards PLWHA, there is a growing body of evidence of HIV related stigma and its associated prejudice and discrimination (Canadian HIV/AIDS Policy and Law 2002; Aggleliton & Parker, 2002; Aggleton 2000; Francis, 2004; Govender, Bhana & Pillay,1992; Mthembu, 1998; UNICEF, 2000; Webb, 1997;Kuhn, Steinburg & Mathews,1994) .These insidious impacts must be acknowledged, if the work to eradicate stigma is to be taken seriously.This research reviews the available scientific literature on HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination in the Mangaung Local Municipality (MLM). Analysis of this research indicates that stigma and discrimination drives HIV out of the public sight.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University