Countering StigmaDecember 2002 While a recent review1 concluded that "relatively few interventions to reduce AIDS-related stigma have been conducted (or at least rigorously evaluated, documented and published) in developing countries, research undertaken also indicates that local communities have been exploring ways of reducing levels of stigma through:
In Israel2 and in Jamaica3, more positive attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS have been promoted through peer education, lectures, pamphlets and workshops, although the effects of such behavioural change remain undocumented. Combining information-based approaches with counselling has been shown to increase disclosure among people living with HIV/AIDS, and has triggered improved community attitudes compared with baseline measures in countries such as Uganda4 and Zimbabwe5. In Uganda, the work of The AIDS Support Organisation (TASO) and other community-based groups has been central to encouraging greater openness about the epidemic and in providing support and care to individuals, families and communities living with HIV/AIDS6. In Phayao Province in the north-east of Thailand, multisectoral work bringing together a range of governmental and nongovernmental organizations was key to reducing new infections in this badly-affected area in the late 1990s, and in promoting good-quality home- and community-based care. A people-oriented approach facilitated greater openness about the epidemic, and the promotion of a 'care not scare' approach reportedly stimulated greater social cohesion and support9. In the United Republic of Tanzania, teachers and health workers implemented a two-to-three-month programme of AIDS-related information, small group discussions, and role play to improve primary-school-age children's knowledge, attitudes and practices. Follow-up 12 months later showed that attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS had significantly improved10. In the United States of America, an early study used information and coping-skills development to resolve negative feelings among physical therapy students and increase their willingness to treat people living with HIV/AIDS11. Contact with HIV-infected or -affected groups have been used in several studies and programmes. The belief here is that a more personal relationship with people living with HIV/AIDS (either through face-to-face conversations or by hearing a testimonial from infected or affected individuals) will demystify the disease and dispel misinformation, generating empathy, which, in turn, reduces stigma and prejudice. Such work shows mixed results, with some studies reporting reductions in negative attitudes, and others not.
Notes
This article was provided by UNAIDS. It is a part of the publication World AIDS Campaign 2002-2003. |