Discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS

Discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS ('PLHIV') is the experience of prejudice against PLHIV which falls within the purview of the law. Discrimination is one manifestation of stigma. Stigmatizing, attitudes, and behaviors may fall under the rubric of discrimination depending on the legislation of a particular country.

HIV/AIDS stigma exists around the world in a lot of different ways, including ostracism, rejection, discrimination and avoidance. HIV testing without permission or security may be considered as wrongdoings towards those with HIV. compulsory HIV testing without prior consent or protection of confidentiality; violence against HIV infected individuals or people who are perceived to be infected with HIV; the quarantine of HIV infected individuals and, in some cases, the loss of property rights when a spouse dies. Stigmas that are violence or the fear of violence stops a lot of individuals for getting tested for HIV, which does not aid in curing the virus. This could make the virus spread further.

HIV/AIDS stigma has been further divided into the following three categories:

• Instrumental AIDS stigma—a reflection of the fear and apprehension that are likely to be associated with any deadly and transmissible illness.
• Symbolic AIDS stigma—the use of HIV/AIDS to express attitudes toward the social groups or lifestyles perceived to be associated with the disease.
• Courtesy AIDS stigma—stigmatization of people connected to the issue of HIV/AIDS or HIV- positive people.

Much HIV/AIDS stigma or discrimination involves homosexuality, bisexuality, promiscuity, sex workers, and intravenous drug use.

In many developed countries, there is an strong correlation between HIV/AIDS and male homosexuality or bisexuality (the CDC states, "Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) represent approximately 2% of the United States population, yet are the population most severely affected by HIV."), and this association is correlated with higher levels of sexual prejudice such as homophobic attitudes. Many people also believe that aids are related to homosexuality. An early name for AIDS, gay-related immune deficiency or GRID, shows this history. During the early 1980s, HIV/AIDS was "a disorder that appears to affect primarily male homosexuals".

Some forms of serious discrimination can include: not being permitted for a job, being prohibited to buy a house, have to pay extra money when renting a housing, etc. People who have or may HIV/AIDS, face a tremendous amount of discrimination in different areas of life. In the United States, disability laws prohibit HIV/AIDS discrimination in housing, employment, education, and access to health and social services. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity enforces laws prohibiting housing discrimination based on actual or perceived HIV/AIDS status.

Structural violence

Main article: Structural violence

Structural violence is an important factor in the treatment of people living with AIDS. Paul Farmer argues that social determinants affecting the lives of certain cultural groups alter their risk of infections and their ability to access treatment. For example, access to prophylaxis, access to antiretroviral therapy, and susceptibility to illness and malnutrition are all factors which change people's overall risk of illness due to HIV/AIDS. This causes large difference in the rate of illness due to HIV/AIDS in various social/cultural groups. Farmer also argues that social intervention may be key in altering the gap in treatment between these groups of people. Educating doctors on the interactions between social life and healthcare would help level out the injustices in healthcare.

Research

Current research has found that discrimination against people living with HIV is a contributing factor for delayed initiation of HIV treatment. As many as 20-40% of Americans who are HIV+ do not begin a care regimen within the first 6 months after diagnosis. When individuals begin treatment late in the progression of HIV (when CD4+ T cell counts are below 500 cells/µL), they have 1.94 times the risk of mortality compared to those whose treatment is initiated when CD4+ T cells are still about 500 cells/µL. In a 2011 study published in AIDS Patient Care and STDs (sample size 215), most of the barriers to care described involve stigma and shame. The most common reasons of not seeking treatment are “I didn’t want to tell anyone I was HIV-positive”, “I didn’t want to think about being HIV-positive”, and “I was too embarrassed/ashamed to go”. The presence and perpetuation of HIV stigma prevents many who are able to obtain treatment from feeling comfortable about addressing their health statue.

See also

• HIV exceptionalism
• Criminalization of HIV transmission

References

People who are HIV positive have dealt with stigmas for the past 30 years, even though with the proper medication this can be manageable lifelong disease. It is now possible for a person who HIV + to have intimate relationship with someone who is HIV- and not pass the disease to them. It is also possible for a mother who is HIV + to not pass it to her child(Roth, Hrenchir and Pacheco 87-91. Though stigmas still continue and in third world countries people who are HIV + are discriminated against at work, school, their community and even in healthcare facilities(Cameron v de 5-8).. Discrimination is a killer it will not discourage those that are sick to not seek help until it to late, but will also increase the spread of HIV because fewer people will want to get tested work cited Roth Cheryl; Hrenchir Pauline F, and Pacheco Christine J. "HIV in Pregnancy." Nursing for Women Health (2016): 87-91. Nwhjournal.com. Web. 10 Apr. 2016 Cameron, Sally; Jane Wilson, Julian Hows, Rodrigo Pascal, Jaime Todd-Gher, Liz Tremlett, Ann Stevens, and John Godwin. "People Living with HIV Stigma Index; Asia Pacific Regional Analysis 2011."(1-99). Joint United Nations Program, 2011.