Stigmatisation and HIV/AIDS

Stigmatisation and HIV/AIDS

Discrimination against people living with or otherwise affected by HIV/AIDS has been dubbed "the third epidemic" of HIV/AIDS, the first being the spread of the virus itself, followed by the clinical disease, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Every society in the world has provided evidence of HIV/AIDS-related discrimination and most importantly stigmatisation. As with most forms of stigmatisation, its manifestations range from the subtle to the fully institutionalised. Some countries have adopted legal protections for people living with HIV/AIDS; however, there is no evidence whether these measures have resulted in reductions in the incidence of HIV/AIDS-related discrimination or violence. It is important to firstly understand what the definition of stigma is “a mark or token of infamy, disgrace, or reproach.” (The Oxford Reference Dictionary, p. 764). Erving Goffman (1963) extended the knowledge of stigma in society and distinguished the difference between the discredited and discreditable. He labelled discredited, if we know the stigma before we really know the person. An example of this was a fixed mark on a person, like a scar in one's face that is hard to conceal. And the discreditable, if we do not know the

The majority of the public still hesitates to interact with individuals with AIDS despite reassurance by the medical community that HIV is not transmitted by casual contact. Education without resources can only achieve marginal results. This is caused by the fact that AIDS is contagious, fatal and presently incurable (Barbee, 1995). No one has caught AIDS by working, studying, or playing with an AIDS patient, unless bodily fluids were exchanged. HIV is not spread through the air or water, unlike many other viruses. (Paleo, 1990)For women, not only is there concern for having sexual intercourse with a partner but also the risk of pregnancy. 20)Generally speaking, the population is less accepting of those who differ from the publicly accepted norms, morals and values than it is of those who conform to those social standards (Life Management Studies 1, p 122). Modifying behaviour through education would include teaching safe sex practices, including stressing the proper and consistent use of effective condoms. It is medically proven that latex condoms can help to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Social research and public education conduct study which describes and analyses the social understandings, meanings and practices of peoples, prevention, institutions and communities in relation to HIV, along with other diseases. There are a number of things that a person cannot get HIV from, that people are sceptical about.