Effect of stigma in the lives of HIV positive people

HIV/AIDS epidemic has been accompanied by stigma from its very beginning. To measure the existence of internal and external stigma 300 PLHIVs (People Living with HIV) were selected. Focus group discussions were conducted with 50 PLHIVs (25 males and 25 females). Analyzing the effects of HIV related stigma on the quality of PLHIV’s life it was found that the level of stigma on the quality of PLHIV’s life was high. The results related to existence of internal stigma among PLHIV’s indicate that 100% of the respondents were anxious and depressed about their HIV positive status. 97% feared to disclose their status and 94% felt they would lose everything. A high percentage (88%) had suicidal tendencies. The qualitative data obtained in this study substantiate the stigmatizing and discriminatory experiences such as denial of house for rent, denial of admission for the children in schools, denial of property and marital conflicts in the life of PLHIV’s and therefore the individual and their families need support from community to deal with stigma and discrimination. There is a need to chalk out anti-stigma activities with PLHIV’s, their families and communities.