REASONS WHY THERE IS STIGMA RELATED TO HIV AND AIDS?

The fact that HIV/AIDS is a relatively new disease also contributes to stigma attached to it. The fear surrounding the emerging epidemic in 1980’s is still fresh in many people’s minds. At that time very little was known about the transmissibility of virus which made people scared of those infected due to fear of contagion.

CAUSES OF HIV/AIDS

Morality-view that people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHAs) are sinners, promiscuous, unfaithful, `` sleeping around. ``people’s beliefs-about pollution, contagion, impurity, fear of infection, fear of unknown , fear of death and ignorance. Lack of knowledge and misconception makes people fear physical contact with PLHAs. Inferiority and superiority complex. Gender and poverty where by woman and poor people are more stigmatized than men or rich people. In other words women are forced by poverty to do transactional or commercial sex where by poor people who are malnourished are stigmatised by looks.

FORMS OF HIV/AIDS RELATED STIGMA AND DISRIMINATION

The name-calling, scapegoating,figer pointing, teasing, ridicule,labelling,blaming, shaming, judging, backbiting,rumors, gossiping, making assumption, suspecting, neglecting, rejecting, isolating and physical violence. Stigmatisation can cause effects like shame, denial, self-isolation, loneliness, neglect, loss of hope, depression, death ,alcoholism, isolation and self-rejection- giving up on one self. Self-blame, self-pity and self –hatred.Withrawal from public activities, becoming very quiet, commit suicide or start thinking about suicide .The story of epidemic of fear, stigmatization and discrimination has undermined the ability of individuals. Families and societies to protect themselves and provide support and reassurances to those affected. This hinders in no small way efforts at stemming the epidemic. It complicates decision about testing, disclosure of status and ability to negotiate prevention behaviours including use of family planning services. AIDS related stigma has had a profound effect on the epidemic’s course .The WHO cites fear of stigma and discrimination as the main reasons why people are reluctant to be tested to disclose HIV status or to take antiretroviral drugs.  These factors all contribute to expansion of epidemic as reluctance to determine HIV status or discuss or practise safe sex means that are more likely to infect others and higher number of AIDS related to deaths. An unwillingness to take an HIV test means that people are diagnosed late when virus has already progressed to AIDS making treatment less effective and causing early death. In conclusion self-stigma and fear of a negative community reaction can hinder efforts to address the AIDS epidemic by perpetuating the wall of silence and shame surrounding the epidemic.