Management of HIV/AIDS Stigma

The management of HIV/AIDS stigma among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHAs) is based on the social construction of HIV/AIDS and sexuality; traditional masculine and feminine identities; discourses around sexuality and its relation to HIV/AIDS stigma. Since HIV/AIDS is sexually transmitted disease, its stigma is of two forth. A disease transmitted sexually as a result of violation of sexual norms and values and the AIDS disease itself. Different groups such as men versus women, adults versus children and prostitutes/barmaids versus married women experience stigma. However, the level of stigma varies from one group to another depending on the degree in which sexual norms and values have been violated. Social institutions such as family and region assign conformers and deviants of sexual norms, values and morality. They have power in determining the management of stigma among people living with HIV/AIDS. At individual level, management of HIV/AIDS related stigma is difficult but rather strives to cope with it. The management of stigma will be possible if HIV/AIDS will be dissociated from issues around sexuality

Autorentext

Malisela Kawogo has obtained her Masters degree in Sociology in 2009 at Univerdity of Birmigham-United Kingdom. She is a beneficiary of International Ford Foundation Fellowship Program (IFP). She has practical experience in working with people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHAs) and HIV and AIDS interventions in Tanzania since 2004.