The Stigma Faced by

People Living with

HIV/AIDS

Joanne A. Cyr, PsyD

Clinical Health Psychologist
August 9th, 2006, Journalist to Journalist
Training on HIV/AIDS, In collaboration with the
XVI International AIDS Conference in Toronto
A Project of the NATIONAL PRESS FOUNDATION
Health Canada report on HIV?AIDS
HIV is transmitted through:
 Unprotected sexual intercourse (vaginal,

anal, oral)
 Shared needles or equipment for injecting

drugs
 Unsterilized needles for tattooing, skin

piercing or acupuncture
 Pregnancy, delivery and breastfeeding (from

an HIV-infected mother to her infant)

 Occupational exposure in health care settings
Health Canada report on HIV/AIDS
HIV CAN NOT be transmitted through:

 Casual, everyday contact

 Shaking hands, hugging, kissing
 Coughs, sneezes
 Giving blood
 Swimming pools, toilet seats
 Sharing eating utensils, water fountains
 Mosquitoes, other insects, or animals
 Social Determinants of Health
WHO 2003 Report
 1. The Social Gradient
 2. Stress
 3. Early Life
 4. Social Exclusion
 5. Work
 Social Determinants, cont’d

6. Unemployment
7. Social support
8. Addiction
9. Food
10. Transport
 “Vulnerable Groups”
 Aboriginal population
 Migrants & Refugees
 Women
 People of Colour
 Youth
 Mentally Ill
 Homeless
 Sex trade Workers
 Intra-venous drug users (IVDUs)
 Men who have sex with men (MSM)
 Trauma Survivors
 HIV-Related Stigma
 Fear of life-threatening illness
 Fear of infection (instrumental)
 Fear of “lifestyle” associated with
“taboo behaviours” (ie. IVDU, MSM)
 People being seen as responsible
 Religious/moral beliefs about
punishment (shame & blame)
 Misperceptions of “other” groups
 Consequences of HIV-related
stigma
 Refusal to seek HIV testing or treatment
 Deterioration in personal, social and
familial relations
 Negative emotions such as fear, guilt,
grief, depression and anxiety
 Loss of support, SOCIAL ISOLATION
 Lack of trust in health care providers
 At the extreme discrimination,
persecution, ostracization and violence
 Secondary Consequences
 Restriction in one’s rights
 Diminished capacity to advocate or
negotiate for oneself
 Employment and housing problems
 Healthcare access issues
 Even, access to foreign countries
 Denial and avoidance of self-care
and self-responsibility
 The US vs. THEM dilemna
 HIV/AIDS is a global issue affecting
millions of people largely for financial
and social reasons

 Where consistent access to HAART is

available, HIV-related stigma is
reduced
 Interventions
“Understanding and Challenging HIV stigma:
A Toolkit for Action”

1. Naming the Problem

2. More understanding and less fear
3. Sex, morality, shame and blame
4. Living and caring for PLHAs within family
5. PLHAs coping with stigma
6. Stigmatized children
7. Planning for Action

www.changeproject.org/technical/hivaids/stigma.htm
 UNAIDS (2002)
Conceptual Framework for Basis of
Action: HIV/AIDS Stigma and
Discrimination
 Legal and Policy Decisions
 Program and Service Interventions
 Give accurate information about how HIV
is and is not transmitted
 Give people reliable tools and resources for
overcoming fear and avoidance
 Highlight the positive, and illustrate the
destructive aspect of stigma
 In Style and Delivery
 Be aware your own prejudices
 Convey messages in fact-based,
neutral, non-value laden manner
 Encourage thought, discussion,
questions, feedback. List resources
where people can find accurate
information or seek support
PROMOTE NON-STIGMATIZING
PRINCIPLES LIKE
COMPASSION AND EQUAL
RIGHTS FOR ALL
 Respect confidentiality

Appreciate the cultural framework

Integrate Primary and Secondary

Intervention