User:Samuellam88/Discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS

Contents

• 1 Intro HIV
  • 1.1 Definition of HIV
  • 1.2 HIV demographics
  • 1.3 1980s AIDS epidemic
• 2 HIV stigma
  • 2.1 Capetown, South Africa case studies
• 3 Global Action
  • 3.1 Hong Kong nursing
  • 3.2 Anti-viral therapy
  • 3.3 Brazil intervention site

Introduction to HIV

Number of infected individuals by race, ethnicity, and gender

HIV, which stands for human immunodeficiency virus is a virus that attacks CD4-helper cells or T-cells that help the body defend against infection. It can be transmitted through contact with body fluids of someone with HIV through unprotected sex or sharing intravenous drug equipment. If HIV is left untreated, it can worsen and become AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). In the 1980's, cases of the unknown virus became prominent in many communities. The majority of cases involved previously healthy gay men, so researchers titled the disease GRID (Gay-Related Immune Deficiency). This label suggested the condition was only limited to the gay male population. This resulted in long-term consequences for woman, heterosexual men, and intravenous drug users. Today, about 1.1 million people in the U.S are living with HIV, and about 14% of them are not aware they have it. Since the 1980's HIV/AIDS epidemic, HIV-related discrimination has greatly characterized the pandemic and created many obstacles for individuals receiving effective treatment and prevention

HIV Stigma

National Aids Day (December 1st)

Discrimination exists at both the societal and individual level.Most reactions toward people living with HIV/AIDS stem from common stigma toward populations greatly affected, so fear and blame come into play causing societal and behavioral derived responses. To better observe the effects of HIV-stigma on individuals, a case study was done among 420-HIV positive men and 643-HIV positive women recruited from AIDS services in Capetown, South Africa. Surveys revealed that over 40% of participants experienced stigma due to having HIV and one out of 5 lost their job because of their HIV status. In addition, more than one out of three men felt some sort of guilty or shame because of their condition. People automatically relate the condition to behaviors such as homosexuality, infidelity, and intravenous drug use which are behaviors frowned upon by society. These labels further create a sense of shame and fear to seek medical help.

Global Action

HIV-related stigma and discrimination have continued to hinder efforts in engaging people in treatment and support programsHowever, progress is being made in communities around the globe. Some programs have sought to reduce HIV stigma through structural components, and others through biomedical components. In Hong Kong, periodic 50-minute lectures regarding base-contact strategies were implemented into the curriculum of nursing students. Another study was involved in the biomedical approach, providing anti-viral therapy and HIV counseling. Both these actions resulted in a 25% increase in individuals seeking help and served as a stand‐alone stigma‐reduction intervention. In Brazil, research showed that truck drivers, a population at an increased risk of HIV infection, were fearful of HIV services because of possible stigma attached to them. A health unit was then established within a border customs station in southern Brazil to offer a variety of services treating HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STI'S). At the unit less than half of the respondents had never undergone HIV testing. By follow-up, the number of truckers who had ever had an HIV test increased by 49% in the intervention site. The majority of participants reported that they found the services useful and non-stigmatizing.

Category:HIV/AIDS Category:HIV stigma Category:National AIDS day Category:Aids epidemic Category:Human rights