Addressing HIV-related stigma

摘要

Stigma and discrimination have been associated with HIV/AIDS since the epidemic first began in the early 1980s, and while there have been global initiatives to address HIV-related stigma [2], the goal of eliminating it is far from being achieved. Stigma can be described as a social construction of a deviation from an ideal or expectation that results in a powerful discrediting social label and negatively affects the way individuals view themselves or are viewed by others [3,4]. The attribute or behavior is not inherently deviant, but its deviance derives from culturally embedded meanings in the context of a particular historic period and cultural context. Deacon and coworkers describe HIV-related stigma as the 'negative social baggage' associated with HIV [5]. Stigmatization often results in discriminating behavior when unfair or unjust treatment of an individual is based solely on his/her HIV status [2].