Stutterheim, Sarah E.; Bos, Arjan E. R.; Schaalma, Herman P.
Abstract
People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) face not only the physical and psychological consequences of their infection; they are also confronted with stigmatising reactions from others. For example, PLWHA may experience problems in their relationships, have trouble attaining insurance or may even lose employment as a result of their HIV status. HIV-related stigma can negatively impact social relationships, access to resources, social support provision and the psychological well being of PLWHA. In addition, HIV-related stigma hampers effective HIV prevention activities and is a barrier to voluntary HIV counseling and testing.nThis paper reports on two studies, one on the extent to which PLWHA in the Netherlands experience HIV-related stigma, and the other on whether PLWHA with differing ethnic backgrounds experience stigma differently. Study I was a quantitative survey study on HIV-related stigma conducted with 667 PLWHA in the Netherlands, representing the views of mostly Dutch and Western European PLWHA. Study II study included 42 HIV positive participants from African, Antillean or Surinamese descent and 52 HIV negative participants from the African, Antillean and Surinamese communities in the Netherlands. It employed qualitative research methodology to ensure coverage. Study II demonstrated that the perceived contagiousness and perceived severity of HIV impact the likelihood of HIV-related stigma, as does the degree to which one is considered personally responsible for one’s infection. Further, HIV related stigma is perpetuated by associations between HIV and norm-violating behaviours such as promiscuity and homosexuality. These perceptions are exacerbated by taboos on talking about HIV, sexuality and homosexuality.
