Standing up to stigma

Standing up to stigma

HIV-related Stigma has remained a major problem ever since the onset of the epidemic two decades ago. Now, however, people living with HIV have had enough, and they have decided to confront the problem head-on.  Over the past one year, a group of them have been conducting a research into levels of HIV stigma and how positive people can best overcome the problem.

Called ‘The People Living with HIV Stigma Index’, the research is a global initiative between the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), UNAIDS, The Global Network of People living with HIV/AIDS (GNP+) and The International Community of Women with HIV/AIDS (ICW. The research has been conducted in several regions of the world.

Preliminary findings of the UK arm of the research were unveiled at a ceremony that took place in the Houses of Parliament on 30th November 2009. The findings were based on the testimonies of 867 HIV positive people who responded to an in-depth questionnaire. Interviews were carried out in more than 40 locations around the country, from Aberdeen to Portsmouth, including Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Manchester and London.

Key highlights

The findings show very high levels of stigma and discrimination in the UK:

• 21% (185 of the 867 participants in the research) of people living with HIV had been verbally assaulted or harassed;
• 12% had been physically harassed because of their HIV status in the previous 12 months.

The results also highlight concerns that stigma and discrimination within some parts of the NHS are denying comprehensive and quality care for some people living with HIV and can create obstacles that impede access to care and support services:

• 146 participants (17%) report being denied health services because of their HIV status at least once in the previous 12 months;
• 18%, nearly 1 in 5 people, stated that it was clear to them that their medical records were not being kept confidential, a further 42% of participants felt uncertain that their medical records are being kept confidential.

The research also revealed the negative impact on individuals living with HIV, many of whom reported low self esteem as a consequence of stigma and discrimination, often involving feelings of guilt and blame in the previous 12 months. More positively, the research makes it clear that people living with HIV are at the forefront of confronting and overcoming devaluing attitudes, speaking out against prejudice and challenging stereotypes:

• 45 % of people living with HIV had personally confronted, challenged or educated people who were stigmatizing them
• 84 % had supported other people living with HIV.

More than 60% of the people who participated in the research said they feel they can influence positive change for the future—the same as the number of people who voted in the last election in this country.

For further information or for a copy of the full report please contact:

Paul Bell at the International Planned Parenthood Federation on 020 7939 8233 or 07799 335533 or
Lucy Stackpool-Moore at the International Planned Parenthood Federation on 020 7939 8283.

Posted On: 27 April 2010 at 03:51PM
Tags: HIV, stigma

Comments (0)