Resisting HIV-Related Stigma

Fighting stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV is the best way to reduce infections, according to HIV specialists.

HIV-related stigma primarily stems from the Australian Government’s grim reaper television advertisement in the 1980s, which claimed HIV was contracted through IV drug use and unprotected sex and was fatal.

Doctor Joseph Monteith, practitioner at not-for-profit service Inclusive Health, says that the

advertisement painted the wrong idea and has had significant follow on effects.

“Those who grew up with this ‘grim reaper’ talk have an understanding that you’ll get HIV if you’re unclean and participating in acts you shouldn’t be,” he said.

“That generation have raised children who assume those living with HIV are IV drug users, gay or sex workers, when that’s just not the case.

“This makes people fearful of seeking medical attention in case they do have HIV. They have a fear of rejection and discrimination, and don’t want to receive the diagnosis,” Dr Monteith said.

According to Avert, unwillingness to get tested means people are diagnosed later, so the likelihood of having transmitted HIV to others is increased, treatment is less effective, and their life expectancy is not as high.

“If someone is on treatment and the virus isn’t detectable in their blood, they cannot transmit the disease. It’s really important that people are aware of that,” Dr Monteith said.

Chris Howard, Program Manager at Queensland Positive People, says that reducing stigma will encourage people to get tested and can save lives.

“This includes internalised stigma - when one feels ashamed for having contracted HIV, anticipated stigma - when one expects to be treated differently and withdraws from life, and enacted stigma - when one cannot go about their life as usual because they’re refused services,” he said.

“We can help reduce stigma by normalising HIV and spreading awareness, in the same way any other disease is normalised.

“We don’t discriminate against diabetes, so why do we discriminate against HIV?” Mr Howard said.

The RISE Project is one of many organisations trying to normalise HIV and offer support for those dealing with a HIV diagnosis.

Brent Clifton, Coordinator at The RISE Project, says that we should invest in education and updating the grim reaper message.

“It’s about time we think about HIV in a completely different way and remove that image of someone being a vector of disease when they’re actually just a human being,” Mr Clifton said.

Educating health professionals and the wider community is key in resolving HIV-related stigma, according to Mr Howard.

“People need to be educated on what it actually is, how it can be transmitted and that it can be managed and treated,” he said.

“Ignorance fuels fear and fear fuels stigma,” Mr Howard said.

HIV-related stigma has changed for the better since the 1980s but there is a long way to go, according to the Mater Hospital’s HIV specialist Doctor Joe McCormack.

“Stigma towards HIV can’t be solved overnight, but we can keep advocating for change and educating those around us,” Dr McCormack said.

SOURCES:

HIV STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION. Avert. (2019). Retrieved 26 October 2020, from https://www.avert.org/professionals/hiv-social-issues/stigma-discrimination.