Stigma Of Hiv/Aids

Stigma of HIV/AIDS

It goes without saying that HIV and AIDS are as much about social phenomena as they are about biological and medical concerns. From the moment scientists identified HIV and AIDS, social responses of fear, denial, stigma, and discrimination have accompanied the epidemic. Discrimination has spread rapidly, fuelling anxiety and prejudice against the groups most commonly affected, as well as those living with HIV or AIDS. One of the main reasons for this is the lack of education and misconceptions that have developed about the disease. Some individuals affected (or believed to be affected) by HIV have even been rejected by their families, their loved ones, and their communities. This rejection holds as true in the rich countries of the global North as it does in the poorer countries of the global South. At the same time, the global epidemic of HIV/AIDS has shown itself capable of triggering responses of compassion, support, and awareness, bringing out the best in people, their families and communities. Therefore, while HIV/AIDS is often perceived and interpreted negatively in all levels of society, which has resulted in many misconceptions, efforts are continually being made to counteract such views and the disease itself.

Stigma is a powerful tool of social control. Stigma can be used to marginalize, exclude and exercise power over individuals who show certain characteristics. While the societal rejection of certain social groups (e.g. homosexuals, injecting drug users, “sex” workers) may predate HIV/AIDS, the disease has, in many cases, reinforced this stigma. According to a journal article entitled Social Networks and HIV/AIDS Perceptions, “twenty-seven percent of 1,712 adults said they would be less likely to put on a sweatshirt that had been worn once by a person with AIDS, even if the clothing was first cleaned and repackaged” (Kohler et al. 18). From this study it is clearly evident that the AIDS disease has acquired a negative stigma. Though this study may be viewed as unrepresentative of our entire population, it did however prove that HIV and AIDS are still frequently misunderstood.

Beginning in the early 1980’s, AIDS was primarily viewed as a “gay disease.” However, within a few years, researchers found that HIV/AIDS was not only spread between gay males but also heterosexuals and even people who do not participate in sexual intercourse. But how could this be? According to the American Red Cross, “AIDS (a result of HIV infection) is caused by a virus (HIV) that is spread through sex (vaginal, oral or anal), blood-to-blood contact with people who have HIV, breast feeding and even during pregnancy” (redcross.org). Unlike what was previously thought before, HIV can not spread from person to person by causal everyday interactions. Some of the ways in which the spread of HIV has been falsely identified with include drinking out of water fountains, sitting on toilet seats and coming into contact with a person infected with HIV.

In addition to the stigma that accompanies HIV/AIDS, discrimination is also present on a national level. According to the food and Drug Administration “any man that has ever had sex with another man is still banned for life from donating blood” (FDA.org). Despite the fact that modern screening methods can detect HIV in blood within a few days of infection, the government is continuing to do everything they can to prevent the spread of AIDS through blood transfusions. The U.S. also still has a restriction on HIV positive people entering the United States, whether they are on holiday or visiting on a more long-term basis. Recent rules and regulations show that, “those who do not hold an approved medical waiver form (which can be difficult to acquire) risk being barred entry or deported if they test HIV positive, or are found to be carrying AIDS medication” (CQ Research). For this reason, major international conferences on HIV and AIDS are virtually never held in the USA, both as a symbol of international protest against the ban, and more practically, because many HIV positive delegates could be refused entry.

Rejection caused by discrimination, as well as the negative stigma that accompanies AIDS, is proving itself to not only be a major problem in rich countries like the US, but also poorer countries like Thailand. In an October 2006 issue of the New York Times, author Seth Mydan states that, “Thailand has made little headway in easing a harsh stigma that was fed by its successful campaign against the disease. As more people are living longer, more are becoming outcasts in a family-based society where it is difficult to blend into the crowd.” Discrimination against those who have survived on medications is leading many victims into isolation. In an attempt to form unity among these people, survivors have formed various self-help networks where they can be happy among friends and not have to worry about being discriminated against. Also, with the support of the government, intensive-care wards have been set up at different locations around Thailand giving the people who are infected with HIV/AIDS somewhere to go to be treated with medications and loving care.

In response to the major discrimination that most HIV/AIDS victims face, the national government, as well as local and state agencies, has developed laws to help stop major discrimination. On the national level there are two federal laws that protect persons living with HIV/AIDS from discrimination. These laws include the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The ADA protects individuals with disabilities, including people living with HIV/AIDS from discrimination in employment, government services and public accommodations, including hotels, restaurants, theaters, businesses and healthcare providers. The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, on the other hand, prohibits discrimination by the federal government or recipients of federal funds based on physical disability, including HIV/AIDS. At the local level, a number of cities and counties have also enacted laws that prohibit discrimination in a number of settings including: employment, housing and schools.

Due to the constant discrimination against those with AIDS, avoidance and denial have also become a major problem throughout the world. In the United States, denial about HIV remains a leading reason why this lethal virus continues to spread. According to Doctor Harold Jaffe, the director of the national center for HIV, STD, and TB prevention, “America’s AIDS denial rests on the false perception that this plaque is no longer a major problem because we have it under control”(cdc.gov