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Sting of HIV Stigma Unabated

Shame over HIV infection remains great, according to a recent survey by the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care. The group's president tells us how this stigma is perpetuating the disease.


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Among the presentations at July's XVIII International AIDS Conference in Vienna was one by the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care. IAPAC, headed by president José Zuniga, reported on its AIDS Treatment for Life International Survey (ATLIS), which queried 2,035 HIV-positive people from 12 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa and examined how much shame and discrimination they experience because of their disease as well as the relationships they have with their doctors. Zuniga discussed the survey and its surprising results.

The Advocate: Tell us about ATLIS.
José Zuniga: We identified quite a significant amount of stigma, considering the fact that we’re now well into the 29th year of the HIV epidemic. What was surprising to us was that that stigma is persistent in developed-world settings as well. If we look at the data related to [the admission of] “I feel alone and isolated because I have HIV/AIDS,” the North American data — the only country we surveyed in North America is the United States — was at 42%, which was well above what we expected in Africa, where we had 24%. In addition, there was data indicating that 22% of Americans living with HIV indicated there was no one they could count on to help take care of them, which was quite significant. The other piece we were quite surprised about was that 16% of U.S. respondents cited discrimination due to their sexual orientation.

How was the survey conducted?
From January to March of this year we utilized a variety of media, including Internet and face-to-face interviews. [The methodology] depended on how we could get a nice variety of patients and ensure we reached certain demographics in each country.

So, it sounds like the results were a shock.
Absolutely. Given the fact that a great deal of work has been done around HIV awareness and attempts to address the determinants of stigma through a variety of means, that it persists still was quite troubling.

Something surprising was that a certain percentage of respondents in long-term relationships had not disclosed their HIV status to their spouse or partner. That certainly speaks to the need to advise people living with HIV/AIDS to, by all means, inform their spouses or partners about their serostatus so appropriate prevention methods can be utilized.

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Reader Comments
  • Name: Ron
    Date posted: 8/7/2010 5:39:51 PM
    Hometown: NC

    Comment:

    Our community does fall short of the love that is wants to show. Why not start with our own community and show love to all people in our community and not just the pretty ones. It is well known that we pride ourselves on being the most fashionable, best looking, the best hairstyle, the best cars, the best homes. Why not show we can be the most compassionate to our own people? We need to get out and show some of the love we want. When you help other people you will be rewarded by the feeling of doing for others, you feel needed, respected, and loved by the people you help. It does fill a void that you may have in your life for that fufillment. No one or nothing can bring you happiness except for you and when you love yourself, nothing can stand in your way! Much love to Our community! XOXO

  • Name: Ron
    Date posted: 8/7/2010 5:33:33 PM
    Hometown: NC

    Comment:

    I will comment that the our community is at fault for being biased on many aspect, esp when it comes to HIV. It is easier for someone to contract a disease from eating food, using a public restroom, walking on the floor barefoot, using a supermarket buggie than it is to catch HIV. I think it is awesome for the drug companies to come up with anti-virals and things which make living with HIV easier than before. The drug companies also make it look like it is fine to have unprotected sex because you can now take this drug that will help you. I care for people living with HIV and it does not bother me. I am a nurse and know the ways to catch all types of diseases and therefore people need to be educated that is can not be contracted by being someone's friend or by sitting in the same seat or even caring for someone that is positive. It is a major ordeal to be gay in the South and being both would be devastating if you do not have a support group or friends.

  • Name: Tjerk
    Date posted: 8/4/2010 2:17:52 PM
    Hometown: Amsterdam (NL)

    Comment:

    As a gay man living with hiv for 18 years these outcomes do not surprise me. HIV is still seen by many as something associated with lewd behaviour and therefore "your own fault". Even within the gay community the subject of hiv is still fraught with stigma. A good indication are the many personal ads on dating sites where "disease free" or "hiv neg as of [date]" is mentioned. Ads mentioning the fact that the person behind it is hiv infected are virtually non existent. If we as hiv infected people are to ashamed or afraid to "come out of the closet", then how can we be surprised at the continuing stigma attached to ours status and the subsequent discrimination.



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