OBJECTIVES: To define Stigma & Discrimination Combating Stigma How to - 4 Case Studies HIV Speak Dignity in Death

1. 01 Stigma
&
Discrimination
The biggest barrier to effective workplace interventions for employees
with health and chronic conditions including HIV & AIDS

2. Objectives:
• To define Stigma & Discrimination
• Combating Stigma
• How to - 4 Case Studies
• HIV Speak
• Dignity in Death
– Sub Bullet
02

3. Definitions
03
Discrimination
Refers to negative behaviour or actions based on prejudice and to actions
taken against a person or group because of perceived differences such as
race, religion or disability.
Segregation, rejection and violence are forms of discrimination as is any action
that treats a person or group of people differently from anyone else.
~it is prejudice in action~
Prejudice
Is a negative attitude to members of a group, based solely on their ‘membership’
of that group.
Stigma
Is a ‘feeling’ that other people have a bad opinion of you or do not respect you.
There is a stain placed on your good name. Stigmatism describes "a process of
discrediting an individual or group in the eyes of others". A stigma devalues the
person rather than a specific action.

4. Combating stigma, isolation,
stereotypes, and discrimination
04
How?:
• Health care professionals can act as role models for others in helping
combat stigma
• Show support and responsibility
• Care for all people, regardless of their health or social status, discrimination,
and isolation of people living with HIV & AIDS
• Prevention strategies will become far more successful when HIV is treated
like any other disease
• Encourage people to feel safe and be open about their HIV status
• Healthcare professionals can become advocates for acceptance and care
• Look inward and first examine your own beliefs, values, assumptions, and
attitudes towards HIV & AIDS
• Individually or in groups by asking and reflecting on the following
questions………..

5. Ask Yourself………
05
• What fears or misunderstandings do I have?
• How might these fears misunderstandings affect my work?
• Where do these fears or misunderstandings come from?
• How can I overcome these fears or misunderstandings in order to provide
care support, counselling, education, and advice in the prevention and care
of HIV & AIDS?
• What influence do I have on others who care for people who are infected
and affected by HIV & AIDS?
• What is my role in providing and promoting safe, moral, and ethical care to
people living with HIV and their loved ones, caregivers and communities?

6. TRUE OR FALSE:
True/False
06
2. AIDS is short for Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome? True/False
3. HIV is AIDS? True/False
6. Antiretroviral treatment is a cure for AIDS? True/False
15. You can get HIV from deep kissing? True/False
17. Sexual transmitted infection contributes in the spread of AIDS? True/False
MYTH OR FACT?
AIDS is a manageable disease? Myth/fact
Antiretroviral prolongs life? Myth/fact
Antiretroviral has side effects? Myth/fact
Taking a balanced diet can keep your body strong? Myth/fact
Women are more vulnerable to HIV? Myth/fact

7. Case Study……..1
07
I was in a taxi on my way home, being the
last person to be dropped off the driver took
me to the bush, pointed a gun at me and
raped me.
When I found out about my positive HIV
status and I was pregnant did not report it
out of fear.
Since then I have been seriously stressed
but I joined AID My Journey support group
which has helped me to feel much better.
~TD~

8. Case Study……..2
08
I have been stigmatised in the past by my son and
sister in law.
My son won't allow me to prepare food or cook for him.
My sister in law would make me wash dishes with
gloves on in case I cut myself.
She even went as far as getting me my own sink for me
to wash my own dishes in.
My name is Joy MacDonald. I'm not afraid to disclose my
name if it helps others.
People are blessed to have you around to help them
through their HIV illness. Thank you. ~Joy MacDonald~

9. Case Study……..3
09
• I have found it very hard to speak to people I know when
I got infected with HIV. I rather confide in a stranger
than my own friends/family.
• It’s very difficult to go for an HIV test especially in the
townships as its called the' white room' cause it’s
sidelined in the corner of the clinic.
• Whether you are going to walk out HIV pos or neg you
are already labelled positive because you went
inside the white room. I just feel like HIV shouldn't be
sidelined like a deadly illness as it’s manageable.
~MMD~

10. Case Study……..4
10
My status got aired out two days after I found out by a “councilor”
who dealt with HIV infected people in his past.
My step dad couldn’t believe it, he said the tests were inaccurate and
that I should go for a second opinion, though I went for 3 different tests
and all of them came back positive.
I took a knock and was on the verge of committing suicide.
Everyone always talks about how to prevent being infected but
never how to deal with it if you do happen to get infected.
A friend introduced me to Cindy. I was petrified and skeptical about the
efficiency of going to a support group. But boy was I surprised. It
helped me understand that I’m not the only one who’s going
through this, that if I want advice I have numerous people to turn to
and no matter how grim life looks, Cindy is always there to comfort and
cheer anyone up.

11. HIV & AIDS Speak/Etiquette
The Stigma Project
11

12. 12 After Testing……..? :-0)

13. 13
Stigmatisation in Children
Children grieving for dying or dead parents are often stigmatised by
society through association with AIDS.
Distress and social isolation experienced by these children, before and
after the death of their parent(s), made worse by the shame, fear, and
rejection that often surrounds people affected by HIV and AIDS.
Because of this stigma, children may be denied access to schooling and
health care.

14. 14 Children…......
Once a parent dies children may also be denied their inheritance and
property.
Often children who have lost their parents to AIDS are assumed to be HIV
positive themselves, adding to the likelihood that they will face discrimination
and damaging their future prospects.
Children may also be denied access to healthcare that they need.
Sometimes this occurs because it is assumed that they are infected with HIV
and their illnesses are untreatable.

15. Dealing with death
15
Important to make sure that people that are ill and are likely to die, prepare
properly.
Help them not to worry too much about their children and families after they
have gone.
Identify guardians
Wills to cover land or belongings
Sort out any bank accounts or insurances
Ensure last days spent in comfort

16. Dignity in Death
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Funerals are covered / organise community
assistance
Municipalities and religious organise access paupers
burials
Family are allowed to attend these funerals and a
service can be held at the grave
Buried with dignity

17. 17
TAKE CARE – BE AWARE