They say God punishes people with HIV’

Experiences of stigma and discrimination among adults with HIV in Dili, Timor-Leste

Dados Bibliográficos

ID15099201
AutoresKate Williams (0000-0002-2882-1068, UNSW Sydney, autor correspondente), Bridget Haire (0000-0002-0657-9610), Bridget G Haire (Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity in Society, UNSW, Sydney, Australia), Sally Nathan (0000-0002-1960-1063, UNSW Sydney)
Ano2017
Volume19
Fascículo10
Páginas1108-1121
Data de publicação2017-10-03
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessNão
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoCulture Health & Sexuality (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1369-1058 • E-ISSN: 1464-5351
EditoraInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13691058.2017.1293845
PMID28276919
OpenAlexW2589899776
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas8
Referências citadas30

Little is known about the experiences of people with HIV in the small island nation of Timor-Leste. This study explored the HIV-related stigma experiences of adults aged between 18 and 40 living with HIV in Dili, Timor-Leste. Participants were interviewed on topics related to living with HIV, both as key informants describing the experience of others with HIV known to them, and also with respect to their own personal experiences. Findings suggest that people with HIV in Timor-Leste face stigma and discrimination in various contexts. In this predominantly Catholic country, perceptions of HIV and attitudes towards people with HIV appear to be commonly shaped by religious beliefs. In families and communities, participants encountered gossip, social exclusion and threats of violence. In health settings, participants experienced discrimination from health providers in the form of failing to maintain confidentiality and inappropriate treatment. The impact of stigma was profoundly negative and influenced participants' decision to disclose their status to others. Participants attributed stigma to a lack of information about HIV among the general public. Unless stigma reduction interventions also address the Church's role in shaping perceptions of HIV, education campaigns are unlikely to be effective in reducing HIV-related stigma

Confidentiality · Family medicine · Political science · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Social stigma · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Psychology · Sex work and related issues · Social Psychology