HIV/AIDS: A Social Stigma - Essay Example

HIV/AIDS: A Social Stigma HIV/AIDS: A Social Stigma The global society has been attacked and severely affected by the HIV/AIDSpandemic. Although enhanced research has identified the overall nature and structure of the disease, the virus continues to ravage the society (Scanlon and Vreeman, 2013). It is alarming that despite the increased awareness efforts through education and mass endorsement, the virus has largely penetrated all the societal structures. This has inflicted fear among the society living in an increasingly infected and vulnerable environment. According to Nyblade et al (2003), AIDS was initially known as GRID (Gay-Related Immune Deficiency) following the researchers’ notion that the disease was primarily limited to the gay community. This exposed the gay community to social stigma with most people suggesting that the only way to acquire the virus is through becoming or associating with the gay people. Even after the realization that the disease affects all sexual groupings, the stigma still remains the prominent obstacle towards prevention activities. Whether the stigma occurs in the form of homophobia across all populations or directed towards the gay community, it limits the HIV/AIDS prevention activities. AIDS Related Stigma This occurs in the form of discounting, discrediting, prejudice and discrimination towards people perceived to possess the disease. Logie et al (2013), associates the stigma with behaviors such as rejection and avoidance of people with HIV and AIDS as well as the affected, imposing compulsory testing without the consent of the victims, violence upon the victims and quarantine of persons with HIV/AIDS. Causes of HIV/AIDS Related Stigma The causes of the HIV related stigma are multiple and complex. The most crucial cause according to Mutalemwa et al (2009) is the possession of insufficient knowledge on HIV/AIDS, ignorance or fear towards the pandemic, moral judgments about people and assumptions related to their sexual behavior, use of illicit drugs and sex, fear of the perceived fate of the infected i.e. death, and the religious inclination that HIV/AIDS infection is a punishment from God. Types of Stigma Self-Stigma This refers to the process whereby people affected or infected with HIV/AIDS acquire the feelings of inferiority or unworthiness leading to attitudes such as self-hatred or inferiority (Mutalemwa et al, 2009). Self-stigma makes the victims lose their self esteem; making them to withdraw and isolate from the society. Self-stigma is highly intensive when the victim is diagnosed for the first time, possesses preconceived biased view towards HIV/AIDS, and has low self-esteem. Felt -stigma These are perceptions or feelings towards a certain group of people who are unique in relation to a certain respect e.g. people living with HIV/AIDS (Mutalemwa et al, 2009). Enacted Stigma These are the actions fuelled by the stigma, commonly referred to as discrimination. Effects of Social Stigma Stigma and discrimination discourages the willingness and the ability of the victims to adopt the necessary HIV/AIDS related preventive behaviors, seek treatment or providing support to people living with HIV/AIDS. Stigma would always prevent people from engaging in discussions related prevention such as safe sex or mother to child prevention (Logie et al, 2013). The utilization of the voluntary counseling and testing services is strained because people do not utilize them out of the fear of stigmatization. In severe instances, treatment services may also be withheld because of the notion that the victims are bound to die. Ethics Position Although new treatments and prevention programs have been established recently, successful prevention of HIV/AIDS can only be attained through fighting the social stigma. Effective prevention strategies are attained through the identification of the causes and type of stigma affecting the victims and applying the necessary measures necessary for overcoming the stigma towards the infected and affected people. Measures Applied In Overcoming the Social Stigma The victims should be referred to the peer support once identified. The pre-test and post-test programs should be accurate and of high quality to ensure that the test results do not cause unnecessary panic and grief towards patients. Stangl and Banque (2010) allude that most of the people that test HIV-positive have a tendency of indulging into illicit drug usage and sexual affairs which exposes them to infection; implying that misleading results are catastrophic. The victims should be encouraged to disclose their status to their loved ones i.e. people who can contribute positively towards helping them overcome any form of stigma. Stigma can be largely minimized if the victims are encouraged to remain active and engrossed in productive activities. The trained counselors and caretakers should be positive persons capable of handling all forms of stigma within the society. The information related to HIV/AIDS should be made readily available. This curbs the challenge of misinformation that may compromise their coping capability (Mutalemwa et al, 2009). Those in need of medication should be assured access to antiretroviral treatment. The policy guidelines can also assist in ensuring the general minimization of the stigma across the society through respecting the rights of all people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. The preventive programs should be designed to address control strategies such as creation of greater recognition for stigma, formulation of the same measures that can be applied in curbing stigma and fostering in-depth and detailed knowledge on the aspects of HIV/AIDS through an interactive process. Nyblade et al., (2003) also suggests that a contextually appropriate and ethically-responsible role for the people with HIV/AIDS should be established. Implications of the Interventions Although AIDS cannot be completely cured, the stigma can be greatly reduced through application of intervention strategies such as counseling, provision of information, acquisition of coping skills and contact. Stangl and Banque (2010) advise that the synergy of the intervention programs leads to enhanced positive results towards reduction of the stigma. Additionally, the community-based intervention programs are more effective compared to the individual-based intervention programs. Conclusion All people have to recommit themselves under the bandwagon of the societal union in changing the trajectory and the impact of fighting the social stigma. The stigma cannot be eliminated through remaining inclined in the past challenges and losses related to the stigma; the current problems should be tackled out rightly. Stigmatic factors such as homophobia among youths and within schools as well as the AIDS-phobic attitudes among the communities should be addressed and eliminated from our society. References Logie, C., James, L., Tharao, W., & Loutfy, M. (2013). Associations between HIV-Related Stigma, Racial Discrimination, Gender Discrimination, and Depression among HIV-Positive African, Caribbean, and Black Women in Ontario, Canada. AIDS Patient Care and Stds, 27, 2, 114-22. Mutalemwa, P., Kisoka, W., Nyigo, V., Barongo, V., Malecela, M.N., & Kisinza, W.N. (2009). Manifestations and reduction strategies of stigma and discrimination on people living with HIV/AIDS in Tanzania. Tanzania Journal of Health Research. 10(4), 1821-6404. Nyblade, L.; Pande, R.; Mathur, S.; MacQuarrie, K.; Kidd, R.; Banteyerga,H.; Kidanu, A. (2003). Disentangling HIV and AIDS stigma in Ethiopia, Tanzania and Zambia. Washington, DC: The Academy for Educational Development/CHANGE Project. Scanlon, M. L., & Vreeman, R. C. (2013). Current strategies for improving access and adherence to antiretroviral therapies in resource-limited settings. HIV/aids (Auckland, N.z.), 5, 1-17. Stangl, A., & Banque M. (2010). Tackling HIV-related stigma and discrimination in South Asia. Washington, D.C: World Bank. Read More