Stigmatisation

"A STIGMA is a mark of disgrace or a negative stain on a place, a person or thing."

A Stigma reduces a persons worth/status in the eyes of society.

For persons infected with HIV dealing with stigma is the most significant social and psychological challenge of having to live with HIV.

HIV/AIDS Sufferers' have experienced a wide range of stigmatizing behavior such as

• Lack of eye contact

• Others refusing to touch them or be around them

• People using negative voice tones

• People showing irritation, anger, nervousness, fear or panic.

• People taking excessive uneccessary precautions

• Mocking, blaming or being generally verbal abusive.

If somone you know has contracted the disease YOU HAVE NOTHING TO BE AFRAID OF!

• Once you have not had unprotected sex or been in contact with open wounds (i.e Blood) you have nothing to fear.

• You can safely share food, utensils, hugs, conversations and air space with infected persons.

• Stigmatization or discrinimation causes infected persons to hide and keep their disease secret.

• Some may even make foolish choices like having sex partners that they are too scared to tell about their illness.

• They may even avoid going for the MEDICAL HELP they need because they are afraid of how people will treat them.

HIV infected persons need SUPPORT not STIGMATIZATION.