Stigma remains a major obstacle for individuals seeking to assess services for HIV-related conditions, according to one health official here.
The concern expressed by Head of the HIV Prevention Unit, Julie Frampton, comes as health care professionals are holding a workshop aimed at ending stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS on the island.
According to Frampton, fear of discrimination prevents people from acknowledging they are HIV positive.
“Fear prevents people from seeking treatment upon diagnosis. Tuberculosis among AIDS patients not receiving treatment can be spread to the public. If you know you are HIV positive and you have TB and you still not seeking cure, it will spread,” she warned.
She says she is also concerned that fear of disclosure or suspicion of HIV status, stops people with the disease from using condoms and from adopting other preventive behaviors.
“It also prevents people from getting tested, even if they suspect they are HIV positive. It forces people to pretend they are heterosexual, some of whom have heterosexual or same sex relationship at the same time,” she said.
The health official says the stigma attached to HIV/AIDS also prevents communities, families and partners from providing education, care and support for people with the disease.
“It negatively affects the quality of care provided to HIV patents. It prevents national authorities from getting a true picture of the burden of the epidemic because people are not coming forward for testing, care and support,” she said.
The week long workshop is expected cover a wide range of topics, including human rights, breaking the “sex ice” and the blame game.
IT APPEARS TO ME THAT SOME OF US CANNOT UNDERSTAND AND MAKE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A HEAD AND A TOE…
THE DOCUMENTARY NEVER TALK ABOUT HOW MANY MAN OR WOMAN YOU GO TO BED WITH OR WHETHER YOU ARE HONEST TO YOUR WIFE OR HUSBAND …PICK UP THE PRECISE INFORMATION NOT WHAT YOUR SILLY MIND WANTS YOU TO TALK ABOUT…IT SPEAKS ABOUT PEOPLE WHO ARE AFRAID OF BEING DISCRIMINATED IF THEY SEEK TREATMENT WHEN THEY HAVE AIDS ,,,WHICH WILL SURELY LEAD TO OTHER DECEASES SUCH AS T.B ;SO WHETHER YOU ARE HONEST TO YOUR WIFE OR HUSBAND YOU MIGHT NOT GET AIDS BUT YOU MIGHT GET T.B….AND DO NOT FORGET THAT WE DO NOT ONLY GET AIDS BY HAVING UNPROTECTED SEX….
Hiv testing should be mandatory in our secondary schools due to the high level of promiscuous, unprotected sex these teenagers are engaged in. Furthermore the hiv unit needs to do more routine testing in all communities but the unit staff needs to encourage persons through greater demonstration of an environment of confidentiality without the unwarranted conversations that is engaged in when results of clients are revealed
i have been married for 11yrs to my sweet wife i some times see sexy women but it all boils down to self contentment, be faithful and you will have no headache just try it and you will enjoy life.
hope its you alone that tasting that sweet wife? lol vex if you want
With a population so small.Be wise get tested seek advise and remember the saying which goes like this -Don’t be silly wear a condom on your willy.