STIGMA, DISCRIMINATION AND
Date
2011-05-19
Authors
Mncube, Zwelibanzi Emmanuel
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Abstract
One aspect of HIV/AIDS that remains a burning issue for many researchers, health
workers and health institutions like Masoyi ACTS Clinic, a healthcare centre in
Mpumalanga Province, South Africa that treats chronic diseases, is that HIV/AIDSrelated
stigma and discrimination (S and D) threatens to continue to undermine any
progress made in the areas of prevention, treatment and support. Social responses of fear,
denial, stigma and discrimination continue to accompany the epidemic.
The purpose of this study was to determine how people living in Masoyi area perceive
HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination, their experience of it and the way they are
dealing with it. A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was used.
One of the main findings of the study of the focus groups in the area was that while
HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination are prevalent, both internalized and
perceived stigma and discrimination were much more prevalent than the external stigma
and discrimination. Stigma and discrimination were found to be primarily driven by fear
of perceived or felt stigma and physical, social, verbal or institutional stigma and
discrimination were only secondary drivers.
The study calls for a new thinking when dealing with stigma and discrimination. This
new thinking should take cognizance of the influence of internalized stigma on people
living with HIV/AIDS.
Description
MM - P&DM
Keywords
HIV/AIDS in rural areas