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(60 seconds) Fears about
family rejection, job loss, and public shunning impede the
effectiveness of HIV and AIDS prevention and care efforts. Stigma
and discrimination discourage those who are infected with and
affected by HIV from seeking needed services because seeking
services may reveal their HIV status.
Ideas about the lifestyles of people
living with HIV contribute to a sense that HIV and AIDS are problems
that affect “others.” This may reduce the motivation of some people
to take preventive measures against the virus, thus increasing their
risk.
The Population
Council is investigating ways of reducing the stigma of HIV
infection by providing information
in workplaces, schools, and on the
media
about modes of HIV transmission, by
counseling individuals, and by increasing the opportunities for
contact with people living with HIV and AIDS.
For more
information, visit popcouncil.org/now.
Population Council: Research that makes a difference (listen) |
