HIV Taboo a Threat to UK Asians

While HIV cases are rising in the United Kingdom, a reluctance to acknowledge the disease has officials fearing that low infection numbers for the Asian community are misleading. Low testing rates and high levels of HIV stigma could be masking the epidemic's impact among UK Asians.

HIV is mostly acquired through heterosexual sex among UK Asians. They are less apt these days to condemn premarital sex, and unaware of HIV transmission risks.

Leicestershire AIDS Support Services worries that vast sections of the Asian community are not even seeking medical care. The lack of HIV/AIDS awareness is so profound, some Asians believe the disease does not even affect them.

"Asians don't use our services much," said Dr. Jyoti Dhar, a consultant HIV physician. "They say, 'Why should we use the health service when we aren't at risk?' They see HIV as a disease of whites and gays." She believes the current testing rates do not reflect HIV's prevalence among Asians.

Malika of Leicester, speaking on condition of anonymity, said she was diagnosed HIV-positive last year, only after developing disabling symptoms. Her husband died of AIDS three years ago. Stigma keeps her from disclosing her infection to friends.

"They'll think I've slept with someone last week. It will ruin my life," said Malika. "To your face they might be nice, but behind your back they will say, 'She's got HIV. Don't go to her place. Don't speak to her, even her spit might infect you.'" Avoiding the perception of promiscuity, Malika said, means "Lots of people are not coming forward."

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